WW1 1874 GRAS SWORD BAYONET SCABBARD FRANCE ARMY MATCHING NUMBERED SWORD

Offered is a genuine 1874 Pattern Gras sword/bayonet & scabbard.

The bayonet features riveted brass & wooden swollen grips, with the locking lug (working). Metal quillon and muzzle ring showing issue numbers & manufacturer/acceptance stamps. Triangular thrusting 52cm long blade in good condition, with little or no wear. The spine shows the engraved details for the manufacturer (St. Ettiene) and date for March 1879. The metal scabbard is in a good, cleaned condition. Slides in and out of the scabbard with no issues. The scabbard and bayonet are original matching made/issued set, both being stamped B 97490, with other acceptance/issue stamps to ricasso and guard. Measures 66 cm overall. This was the bayonet used in conjunction with the Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 rifle & saw active service from the 1870s through to service in WW1.