PRE WW1 FRENCH ARMY GRAS SWORD DATED 1876 ST. ETIENNE

Offered is a pre WW1 – 1876 dated French Army Gras 1874 pattern bayonet. Bayonet features a brass birds head brass pommel with working release button, with good wooden grips and metal guard & quillon, numbered 11945. The 52 cm long triangular steel blade in good condition, with overall spotting wear, being engraved to top of flat spine for manufacture by St. Etienne Arsenal, August 1876. Overall length 64cm. The bayonet was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 “Gras” Infantry Rifle, being the backbone of the French Army for the next 30 years.