French M1866 sabre bayonet for the chassepot rifle

Hi guys, today we are checking out a Prussian captured French M1866 bayonet for the chassepot rifle.
Very cool bayonet with some interesting history.
M1866 bayonets were produced at the French state arms plants:
-Chatellerault
-Mutzig
-St. Etienne
-Tulle
Also by French government contractors:
-Cahen & Lyon, Paris
-Charles Reeves & Co., Birmingham
-Christofle, Paris
-Stehelin & Cie., Bitschwiller, Thunn
-Y. Funcke & Cie ., Herdecke

[@markalton2809]

I'm currently restoring the bevel on one of these bayonets, after someone has unfortunately held it to a rough grindstone. I have to say, the abrasion resistance of the steel is remarkable, it takes a lot of work with wet or dry to get scratches out, more than almost any blade I've ever worked on.

[@pointynotsharp8436]

Interesting to hear, the assumption is that steel has improved heaps since then. Sounds like they had the recipe down quite a while ago

[@General6233]

Just bought one stamped 1874. Reasonable condition in New Zealand 325 dollars (NZ). Have been busy cleaning brass and treating some rust on point of blade. All markingsxare French but like you the scabbard and blade have different numbers. I am a keen bayonet collector and frankly this is one of the most interesting. A joy to hold and terrific display piece.

[@poopchute92]

I have one in 🇬🇧 bought it for ten pounds from an antique store the blade is flawless made in 1866 beautiful bayonet good video mate 👍🏻

[@OhBoysPaintball]

Just picked one of these up. It’s made by “Y Funcke & Cie Herdecke” of Germany.

[@johngreen-sk4yk]

A quick way to tell the difference between the chasspot and remmington rolling block, is by looking at the mortice slot on the back of the grips ( full length of grips on remmington) 🙂

[@G-MAN_]

I was going to say the scabbard was wrong, then you explained it. Mine still has the original bar. I've learned something today. 👍

[@pzuliomaccavellion9711]

Great vid, thank you! A lot of information on an interesting weapon.

[@ts16electric92]

I found one of these in my grandads loft. Was looking for information about it. Great video 👍👌

[@vulpinstein9133]

I've got three of these with scabbards (they are dated 1867 1869 and 1873) I bought them with a bunch of other bayonets.

[@raashes]

Yank here, I got one for about 120$ (without scabbard) at my local surplus store. As for the length, mine is 22.5 inches. Great information and well presented, keep it up!

[@pointynotsharp8436]

Thanks, sounds like you got a bargain!

[@danjames5552]

I have one of these next to my chair , but it has been chopped down to a dagger size , nice .

[@Tax_Collector01]

I recently received a Belgian-made Chassepot bayonet, but despite having the same blade length, same blade profile…it weighs more. Aside from the small differences such as a slightly more distal taper (which should make it weigh less) and a fuller that is merely a few millimeters shorter, I couldn’t definitely figure out how the Belgian Chassepot has a heavier blade. Perhaps it’s made from a different steel, but there’s very little sources I could find that can confirm this.

[@pointynotsharp8436]

That's very interesting, I love discovering these kinds of details! No idea why that would be the case, in my mind Belgian has always equalled light weight

[@jacksetnan1632]

I have one of these for many years, the markings on the bayonet are G 66951 and the scabbard is M 19436. It is in great shape. How much is it worth today?

[@compatriot852]

I have one that unfortunately had the scabbard bar broken off. Wondering how I could get it repaired

[@thepredator9002]

Bought one of these a couple of days ago it is definitely a French scabbard but I'm unsure whether it is a French or captured bayonet. It has only a few markings on it, one being a five digit serial on the cross guard but has none on the spine of the blade (I really hope that's what it's called please tell me if I'm wrong). It is worn but it is very hard to tell whether or not it is general wear or grind marks. So I was wondering if you might have any ideas?

[@pointynotsharp8436]

If you send me some photos on instagram I can let you know. There are a couple of bayonets that look very similar to these

[@jebbroham1776]

I have one of these but it has a special engraving on the top of the tang that says something like 16th nat le de st etienne bre 1870 on it. Could that have belonged to a French officer or something?

[@reemcreeson3301]

mine has french writing on it ive never seen it before ams i cant translate it it also says 1870 on it

[@brucey39]

Mine has a chrome handle

[@ChristianRB89]

Would this fit on a 1867 danish rolling block?

[@pointynotsharp8436]

It's not designed to but I haven't tried it either.

[@G-MAN_]

My dad gave me his just yesterday. I love it.

[@imadcheranti6196]

Je possède un epee bayonet

[@johnwilson6284]

I have one that everyone is telling me that it a 1841 model. Used by Confederate soldiers in the civil war. It has the bar on the scabbard with serial numbers on it. And the bayonet itself has a serial number on it also, but unfortunately it does not match the scabbard. Mine also has a mark of a anchor on it. Does anyone know what that means.?

[@pointynotsharp8436]

Anchor means that it was issued to colonial forces

[@johnwilson6284]

@@pointynotsharp8436 what years were they issued? Sorry for all the questions just trying to figure this out since a lot of them look alike.

[@pointynotsharp8436]

@@johnwilson6284 they started issuing these in 1866, they were replaced in 1874 however many would have stayed in service for some time after

[@johnwilson6284]

Ok thanks, that clears up alot of misinformation. Good to know what it really is now.

[@jabiliuson1270]

I know it's already been aswered, but they're probably thinking you have a bayonet for the mississipi 1841 rifle, they're kinda similar, but the most noticeable difference is the hand guard

[@exitsignman5348]

I have one dosent have any markings, what does this mean? Is it a fake or is mine just not special Edit: it’s condition is good enough for markings to be visable

[@pointynotsharp8436]

Could be an Egyptian M1869 Remington rolling block bayonet, they look very similar

[@exitsignman5348]

@@pointynotsharp8436 cheers, still not sure but I love it nonetheless

[@brt6626]

Does it have a crowned head at the base of the blade? I was told by an antiques seller that Germany made copies of this bayonet for sale to other militaries, and they did not mark them. Apparently these are rarer.

[@RattelP-sx8tx]

One in Texas but very bad condition absolutely no markings