Excellent, French, 1880, Model 1874 Gras T-Back Bayonet by St. Étienne with Matching-Numbered Scabbard

*Excellent, French, 1880, Model 1874 Gras T-Back Bayonet by St. Étienne with Matching-Numbered Scabbard*

A French Model 1874 Gras sword bayonet, designed for use with the 11 mm Gras rifle. The straight, 52 cm T-backed blade (overall length 64 cm) is engraved along the spine in script: “Mre d’Armes de St. Étienne 8bre 1880”. The brass hilt with riveted wooden grips retains its original sprung locking catch, and the steel crossguard is stamped Fg 25650, repeated on the scabbard’s belt attachment band just below the throat.

The blade bears arsenal inspection stamps including M in a circle and star-over-S in an oval. The steel scabbard is complete with frog stud and domed finial, both also numbered Fg 25650, confirming this as a rare factory-matched set.

Historical Note:
The Model 1874 Gras rifle was developed by Colonel Basile Gras as a conversion of the earlier M1866 Chassepot, adapted to fire the new 11 mm metallic centre-fire cartridge. Adopted by the French Army in 1874, it marked the nation’s transition from paper-cartridge needle-fire systems to modern brass-cased ammunition. Its accompanying bayonet, the M1874 Gras sword bayonet, was a robust design with a T-backed blade that provided both strength and thrusting capability. This design replaced the yatagan-style blades of earlier French bayonets.

Production was carried out at the major French state arms factories — Chatellerault, St. Étienne, and Tulle — as well as by contractors such as L. Deny (Paris), Oudry (Paris), and Steyr in Austria. Government bayonets were engraved on the spine with arsenal, month, and year of manufacture.

The Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), where this bayonet was made in October 1880, was established in 1764 and became one of France’s premier state arsenals. Interestingly, in its earlier years, production was carried out under a system where private entrepreneurs managed operations. They purchased materials, paid workers, and delivered completed arms to the state at cost plus 20%. Any surplus materials could be used for private sales, and such bayonets — unlike this example — typically lacked a date. MAS remained a key supplier of French military weapons into the 20th century and eventually became part of GIAT Industries in 2001.

*Condition*
In very good condition overall. The blade remains bright, with crisp St. Étienne inscription and only light patination. Inspector’s marks are clear. Brass hilt shows mellow age patina, with wooden grips tight and free of cracks. The locking mechanism functions correctly. Crossguard and pommel show even age toning and light pitting consistent with service. The steel scabbard is solid with no splits or dents, showing a mottled grey patina and scattered pitting. The frog stud and domed finial are intact. Serial number Fg 25650 on the belt attachment band matches that of the bayonet exactly — a scarce feature, as most sets became mismatched during service. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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