*French, 1874 Pattern T-Back Gras Sword Bayonet and Scabbard with Matching Numbers, dated 1875, Made at Armes de St. Etienne*
Approximate measurements: 51.9cm blade, 64.2cm overall
Marked on quillon and scabbard: f84805
Marked on the spine: "Mre d’ Armes de St. Etienne 8bre 1875"
Marked on ricasso: Encircled M and encircled Crown over M
This bayonet was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 “Gras” Infantry Rifle, a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle that enabled use of the 11.15 x 59 mm. centerfire cartridge, the M1874 rifle is referred to as the Gras, after the French Army officer who developed the conversion, Colonel Basile Gras. The “Gras” was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885. This bayonet was the last of the French “sword-type” bayonets.
The serial number is clearly embossed on the quillon and on the scabbard “f84805”. The blade is marked on the back-edge (opposite the bottom cutting edge) with the arsenal, month, and year of manufacture; in engraved cursive writing “Mre d’ Armes de St. Etienne 8bre 1875”, there are some proof marks on the quillon and the ricasso.
This bayonet has a solid brass pommel with integral latching mechanism (push-button/spring-steel). Grips are wood. Cross guard is steel, “blued,” with upper guard being the muzzle-ring, lower guard forming a hooked “blade-breaker” quillon. Blade is 519mm – steel triangular (3-edge) in form (very sturdy as a thrusting weapon), 642mm overall. The scabbard is sheet-rolled steel, semi-oval, tubular, with a marked ball finial.
The Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne, often abbreviated to MAS (“Saint-Étienne Weapons Factory” in English) was a French state-owned weapons manufacturer in the town of Saint-Étienne, Loire. Founded in 1764, it was merged into the French state-owned defense conglomerate GIAT Industries in 2001.
*Condition*
It is very unusual to find a matching bayonet and scabbard - this pair have been together for 139 years! They are both in excellent condition given age and service. The markings are surprisingly clear, the blade has age related tarnishing, the cross guard has some pitting. The grip is in good condition, the button works well. The black metal scabbard is in good condition and fits snugly. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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