French Model 1874 'Gras' Sword Bayonet

This bayonet, made by scarce maker L Deny Paris in 1880, was the last of the French 'sword-type' bayonets. It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 'Gras' Infantry Rifle, basically a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle. The 'Gras' was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885. The French wars during the useful 'life-span' of this bayonet were: Sino-French War 1883-1885; Madagascar Wars 1883-1885 and 1895; 1st Mandingo-French War 1883-1886; 1st Dahomeyan-French War 1889-1990; 2nd Dahomeyan-French War 1892-1894; 2nd Mandingo-French War 1894-1895; Conquest of Chad 1897-1914; 3rd Mandingo-French War 1898; Moroccan War 1907-1912; World War I (early). Blade 20.5 inches overall 26 inches