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Title Musketon bayonet, 1842 model
Nationality French
Period c 1842-54
Sold

This is the first model, with a leaf spring in the hilt, for the 1842 model Musketon (a French carbine). It has two nice, clear stamps at the base of the blade (almost certainly French arsenal inspectors' punches), one being a capital 'B' (I think), the other a capital 'G' surmounted by a star, all within a wreath.

There is no inscription on the spine of the blade, entirely consonant with Republican manufacturing practice. Later Napoleon III examples usually have the date and factory engraved.

This bayonet is the predecessor of all the later yataghan bayonets, as produced in the USA and UK in particular. It is not to be confused with the Chassepot bayonet model of 1866 for the first French bolt-action rifle. This 1842 model bayonet would have been issued with a muzzle-loading carbine carrying a percussion lock and would have been carried principally by artillery personnel.

Its condition is clean throughout with a little grey patina to the scabbard and some minor cribbling to the centre of the blade (from play fighting, I suspect), together with a small 6" electrical grind mark, where someone may have tried to polish the marks out. There are also a couple of bruises midway to the spine of the blade, which is 22.5" long. The frog fitting at the top of the scabbard appears to have been removed and an old brown leather frog fitted (glued?) in place.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Edged Weapons : Bayonets : French : 19th Century]

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...acquiring this bayonet has completely changed my way of thinking on collecting bayonets. I have become extremely fond of the bayonet... Thanking you once again for the very professional way in which you handled the money [going to the wrong account] problem.

P J, South Africa, 04.02.2006

Just a short note to let you know that I have collected the Police fur cap this morning from the Post Office. I am really happy with it, and for sure I will give a thumbs-up to your service. This was the first item I ever bought from you, and I hope it will not be the last.

I G, Malta, 03.10.2005

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