paradox1559 Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 I'm trying to figure out the origins of this bayonet. I dont think it's French because there isnt any engraving on the spine. I'm hoping someone here will know more than what I can find online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 It is a French model 1866 Chassepot that someone has polished off the St Ettienne or other armory markings on the spine, which were lightly etched. Or the blade wasn't made in a French armory, though mine has the identical stamp's on the quillion and blade the adjusting screw on the barrel ring is definitely French also. A little more searching the blade was made by Alex Coppel the scales are his mark. Here is a good site about them seems there were many different blade makers. http://www.old-smithy.info/bayonets/HTNL DOCUMNETS/1866_chassepot.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paradox1559 Posted October 6, 2019 Author Share Posted October 6, 2019 If I look very hard through a magnifying glass, I can barely make out peices of engraving. Why would someone polish it off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Probably polishing because of surface rust & got a little too aggressive. I've seen folks ruin the value of a lot of old muzzleloaders because they didn't know any better. Sorta like grinding on the hardened face of anvils. Also the Germans had confiscated a lot of the French bayonets, that were pressed into service in WWI but those usually had German acceptance stamps on them. Are there any stamping's in the mounting channel of the grip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paradox1559 Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Like these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Yes, I don't recognize those, though they may be German acceptance marks or French inspection marks. Mine has some numbers and if I remember a letter and those same marks in the locking stud channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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