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For your consideration, you are viewing an Antique piece of French Military History, this is a Circa 1877, M1874 French Gras Sword Bayonet with Hooked Quillon, Metal Scabbard and Leather Frog. (These frogs alone fetch up to $200) The Gras has a unique 3-edged 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 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 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 1889-1890
• 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 a Government manufacturer and was produced at the St Etienne 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 Opril 1877". Which translates to - "Manufactured at Government Arsenal at St Etienne in April 1877." 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, 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 leather frog is showing some age but the leather is still supple and strong. All the stitching is intact. # The makers and inspection marks are:

• RICASSO: "M within an oval" - "Star over S within an oval"
• SPINE: "Mre d'Armes de St Etienne Opril 1877". Which translates to - "Manufactured at Government Arsenal at St Etienne in April 1877."
• QUILLON: "K 94904" - "Star over T within an oval" -"M within an oval" - "Star over S within an oval"
• SCABBARD: "L 50597"

CONDITION

This bayonet is from circa 1877, it is used, and in good condition for its age and use in warfare. The brass pommel is in good condition with faint marks consistent with use and fits tightly to the tang, the wood grips are complete with no damage and fit tightly, and the release/lock button lever is in working order. The 52.3 cm blade has a polished finish with no stains and no pitting. The edges are not sharp and have no major dings. The remaining metal on the cross-guards, pommel and mortise has a worn-aged patina with indent and scuff marks. The scabbard has a blued finish, it has no dents and fits tightly together with the bayonet. The leather frog is supple with all the stitching tight and intact, and the bottom back has a small notch. the buckle is firmly attached. The leather tongue is missing the end piece.# 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 the finer details and conditions.

• Photos do not show the actual size so please read the description page for 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 for viewing.
• Any errors will be accidental and not intentional or purposely misleading.