French Model 1874 Gras Sword Bayonet, 1877 Dated, by Manufactures D’Armes De St. Étienne with Scabbard. BAYO 467. Bayonet

An original French Gras Sword bayonet for the Model 1874 Gras rifle (The Fusil Modèle 1874 or Gras was the French Army's primary service rifle from 1874 to 1886. Designed by Colonel Basile Gras, the Gras was a metallic cartridge adaptation of the single-shot, breech-loading, black powder Chassepot rifle. It was developed from 1872 to 1874 as a response to the German adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge rifle) the successor of the Chassepot. It has a straight, clean 20 ½” T back blade. The back of the blade ids dated July 1877 and is marked by the manufacturer. ‘Manufactures D’Armes De St. Étienne’. The slab wood grips are undamaged *see images*. The bayonet has a hooked quillon which is secured with two rivets and muzzle ring. The bayonet has a brass pommel and a push button release which operates smoothly. The cross guard has small inspection marks and is numbered 88295. The bayonet is complete with its original steel scabbard which has the number ‘93401’. See White & Watts Item No 201, pages 84 & 94. The price includes UK delivery. BAYO 467.