French Model 1974 Gras Bayonet – Multiple Markings.

Nice condition, clear crisp markings.

St Etienne manufactured.

Early production. Just some years after it came into service.

This bayonet was the last of the French “sword-type” bayonets. It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 “Gras” Infantry Rifle, basically a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle. The “Gras” was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885.

This bayonet has a solid brass pommel with integral latching mechanism (push-button/spring-steel). Grips are wood. Crossguard is steel, usually “blued,” with upper guard being the muzzle-ring, lower guard forming a hooked “blade-breaker” quillon.

Blades are steel – well made – and triangular (3-edge) in form (very sturdy as a thrusting weapon). The blades are usually marked on the back-edge (opposite the bottom cutting edge) with the arsenal, month, and year of manufacture; this is done in engraved cursive fashion and will appear something like, “Mre d’ Armes de St. Etienne Janvier 1874” or perhaps “Mre d’ Armes de Chatellerault Juin 1882”, this is not the name of a lieutenant or major, nor is it a presentation date; in reality, it is the the exact month, year, and location of manufacture.

French arsenal locations observed are: Chatellerault, L’Deny Paris, Paris-Oudry, St. Etienne, and Tulle. There is also an arsenal located in Austria and these are marked Steyr.

The scabbards are usually blued sheet-rolled steel, semi-oval, tubular, with a ball finial.

These bayonets replaced the Model 1866 “Chassepot” bayonet (and corresponding infantry rifle), and were replaced by the French Model 1886 Lebel Bayonet (aka “Rosalie”) (and corresponding infantry rifle).

The French Model 1874 “Gras” Bayonet has a colorful history and was even used by the French Foreign Legion.