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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]

testimonials

[From a vendor, rather than a buyer]

I'm delighted that you are happy with the badge and I hope you can sell it to someone who will value owning it.

I tried to sell it on eBay but they won't accept Nazi items. I then contacted several dealers via a Google search who mostly offered me £40-£50 after some haggling. Most of the other dealers tried to conceal its true value in their replies and also lacked manners which doesn't inspire confidence.

Ultimately it's about trust. I should think that most prospective sellers have done their own research and therefore know roughly what their item is worth. You were the only dealer who had the integrity to concede that my valuation was approximately correct and I respect your comment that you can't offer this as you need to make a profit. Your honest approach is greatly appreciated and I felt comfortable taking the risk in sending it to you.

Thank you for a smooth transaction

C D, UK, 01.07.2015

Many thanks, the bayonet arrived safely, I am very pleased, thanks

T A, UK, 16.05.2015

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