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# The law prohibits the sale to anyone under the age of 18. The Buyer accepts full responsibility for its use.
For your consideration, you are viewing an Antique piece of Military History, this is a Circa 1877, M1874 French Gras Sword Bayonet with Hooked Quillon and Metal Scabbard.
The Gras has a unique 3 Edge Triangular Blade and is also known as a T Back Blade. The Gras's triangular blade is an excellent thrusting weapon and is also known as the Foil or Duelling Bayonet because of its exceptionally long blade.
The M1874 replaced the M1866 Chassepot and eventually they were replaced by the French Model 1886 Lebel Bayonet "Rosalie".
These were basically a conversion of the M1866 Chassepot bayonet and were made to fit the French Bolt Action M1874 Infantry Rifle Fusil Gras M80 M1874, known as the Gras, aptly named after the French Army Officer who developed this gun conversion, "Colonel Basile Gras."
The M1874 has a very rich and colourful history, it was used extensively in many wars and also by the famous French Foreign Legion, (French Légion étrangère,) a special elite military force, originally composed of foreign volunteers who were paid by France and gained the reputation as 'The World’s Premier Mercenary Corps."
The "Gras" was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885. The French wars during the "life-span" of this bayonet were:
- French Indo/China in 1873-1874 and 1882-1883
- Sino/French War 1883-1885
- Madagascar Wars 1883-1885 and 1895
- 1st Mandingo/French War 1883-1886
- 1st Dahomeyan/French War 1889-1990
- 2nd Dahomeyan/French War 1892-1894
- 2nd Mandingo/French War 1894-1895
- Conquest of Chad 1897-1914
- 3rd Mandingo/French War 1898
- Moroccan War 1907-1912
- World War I
This is Government manufacture and was produced at the Tulle State Arsenal. French bayonets are engraved on the spine of the blade with the factory, month, and year of production. This example's engraving reads "Mre d'Armes de St Etienne Fbre 1876". Which translates to - "Manufactured at Government Arsenal at St Etienne in February 1876."
M1874 Gras has a solid brass pommel with a push spring steel latching mechanism. The hand grips are made of 2-piece contoured wood. The crossguard is steel with the upper guard being the muzzle ring, and the lower guard forming a hooked "blade-breaker" quillon. The steel blade is graduating 3-edge triangular. The scabbard is a sheet-rolled blued steel graduating oval tube with a ball finial.
# The makers and inspection marks are:
- CROSS GUARD: "J 16921". "Crown over D within an Oval" - "M within an oval" - "Star over T within a circle"
- RICASSO: "M within an oval" - "Star over G".
- SPINE: "Mre d'Armes de St Etienne Fbre 1876". Which translates to - "Manufactured at Government Arsenal at St Etienne in February 1876."
- SCABBARD: "J 12181"
*If this is not for you I also have other unusual Bayonets and Militaria Finds in my shop. Please CLICK on the following link to go to my store to see the full range. KNIGHTSGOLD STORE-MILITARIA-BAYONETS
CONDITION: This bayonet is Antique Circa 1876 used, and in good condition for its age and use in warfare. The wood grip is in very good condition with light marks consistent with use and fits tightly to the tang, the release/lock button is in working order. The 52.3 cm blade has a bright polished finish with no stain and no pitting. The edge is not sharp and has no dings. The remaining metal on the cross-guards has a worn-blued finish with some wear, scuff and stain. The brass pommel and mortise have an aged patina. The scabbard has a worn blackened finish and it has no dents and fits tightly together with the bayonet. # Please note that the photographs form part of the description; Super-sized photos are available for you to view in the eBay gallery, to show up the finer details and conditions.
- Photos do not show the actual size so please make sure you read the description page to get the exact measurements.
- Colours may display differently depending on your computer and settings.
- The item in the photos is the one that you will receive.
- The lead photo has had the background removed with Photoshop, but all the original untouched photos are included in the listing.
- Any errors will be accidental and not intentional or purposely misleading.
WEIGHT & MEASUREMENTS: The item is measured in both centimetres and inches. All measurements are approximate only.
WEIGHT: 823 gm. approximately unpacked.
BAYONET ALONE:
- LENGTH: 64.3 cm / 25.31"
- WIDTH: 10.2 cm / 4" (at the crosspiece)
- DEPTH: 3 cm (at the pommel including the button.)
- MUZZLE RING: 17.51 mm. Inner Diameter
- BLADE: 52 cm / 20.47" Length (not including handle)
SCABBARD: 53.7 cm / 21.14" Length.
01/23
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We love Art, Antiques, Militaria, Vintage Collectables and Handcrafted Items and are avid collectors of unusual art crafted from Natural Materials
I have years of retail experience including my own Shop with family history along with a lifetime of collecting prior to eBay. We restore some of our antique pieces, where we can, any restoration work will be noted in the description.
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