Chassepot sword bayonet. A fine short sword, a terrible bayonet

A review of the Chassepot yataghan style sword bayonet, along with how and why sword bayonets existed and why they don't anymore.

[@dawnofwar4302]

I just picked up one of these. Was gonna say, when i first saw it at a antique store of all places i thought it was a sword, come to find out its both. I like sabres and this one does indeed handle well, its not ultra heavy and not light enough were blocking or deflecting would be a chore, its beautiful. Mines dated 1873.

[@absolutelynoone3585]

Mine is ‘68 but I have a question: Has yours been sharpened or have you sharpened yours yourself, I am aware that they were not sharpened from the factory, they were purely for thrusting, but I have heard that other peoples have been sharpened, mine is I sharpened, I’m just wondering about the situation on your end?

[@dawnofwar4302]

@@absolutelynoone3585 Mine is sharpened, its not like a razors edge but it is sharpish. Also mine looks like its been around the block its got some nicks on the blade where it looked like it might have gone metal to metal maybe with another blade who knows, 1873 was a long time ago and there were quite a few conflicts going on at the time.

[@raphlvlogs271]

the yataghan is a really well thought of design which is forward curving but still a compromised cut and thrust blade

[@absolutelynoone3585]

It wasn’t for slashing, it was only for thrusting, from the manufacturer, there is no edge on it. It had the ability to be edged, but they were only edged by the soldier who owned it, if they chose to. Mines dated 1868, and was never sharpened.

[@jamesm1]

I've heard when the French dumped a load of Chassepot rifles into their allies hands in eastern europe the guns were in such bad shape that the bayonets got used A LOT lol.

[@tango-bravo]

I have one of these too, but it seems like the blade is coated in some kind of grey metal, maybe tin? I’d like to polish it up but if it’s the original finish I don’t want to mess it up because it’s in good shape

[@raphlvlogs271]

swords bayonets and pistols actually coexisted in military use for centuries

[@bonedaddy7297]

It's a terrible short sword as well.