An authentic 1866 Chassepot bayonet, this example is a remarkable testament to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
Designed to equip the famous 1866 Chassepot rifle, this bayonet is distinguished by its long yataghan blade, its robust grooved brass handle, and its steel quillon mount. It represents one of the most emblematic bladed weapons of the Second French Empire.
The blade flat retains the remnants of the original marking from the Manufacture Impériale de Saint-Étienne dated October 1867, attesting to its authenticity and its manufacture during the reign of Napoleon III.
The guard bears a German regimental marking, indicating its assignment to a German unit after its capture during the 1870 war. This type of marking is a particularly sought-after historical element by collectors specializing in weapons that have had a second military career.
The weapon is accompanied by its period metal scabbard, which has not received any German modification and thus retains its original French configuration. However, the scabbard does not match the bayonet's serial number, a situation frequently encountered with regulation weapons that have seen several decades of service.
- Model: 1866 Chassepot Bayonet.
- Manufacturer: Manufacture Impériale de Saint-Étienne.
- Date of manufacture: October 1867.
- Period: Second Empire – 1870 War.
- Blade: Yataghan type in steel.
- Blade length: 57 cm.
- Total length (excluding scabbard): 69.5 cm.
- Handle: Grooved brass.
- Mount: Steel with quillon.
- Marking: German regimental marking on the guard.
- Scabbard: Period metal, unmodified, non-matching number.
Functional spring.
Manufactured in 1867, this bayonet initially equipped French infantry armed with the Chassepot rifle. Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, many French weapons were captured and then re-assigned to German units. The German regimental markings on the guard now allow tracing this second military life and give these examples a very special historical interest.
The fact that the scabbard remained in its French configuration, without German transformation, further reinforces the authenticity of this set.
Photographs are an integral part of the description and bind the buyer.
Purchase implies acceptance of the item's condition as presented.
