This French M1842 Yataghan sword bayonet made in 1856 at the Chatellersult armoury. These sword bayonets were used with several variations of French carbine rifle. The M1842 is a formidable bayonet, a far more robust forerunner to the often-encountered M1866 Chassepot bayonet.
The heavy 574mm yataghan blade has a flat, T-section spine above a long, single fuller on each side and tapers to a double-edged spear point. The spine is engraved with the Chatellerault armoury details, pattern designation and the production date of October 1856. The blade is in excellent condition. The blade was armoury sharpened.
The ricasso bears the stamp of the Chatellerault armoury director, Lt-Col. Jean Baptiste Louis de Mecquenem a crowned letter M within an oval. Ly-Col. Louis de Mecquenem was the Chatellerault director from the 28th July 1855 to the 6th August 1859. The second stamp is that of the armouries’ Reviseurs, Francois Antoine Schutz, an oval containing a star above the letter S. Schutz was a Chatellerault reviseurs from July 1853. The number 10 is stamped between the inspection poincon. The obverse ricasso is also stamped with the number 10.
The steel crosspiece has very mild, speckled tarnish. The crosspiece has a slightly hooked, rear facing quillon and a coxcomb on the muzzle ring. The steel bears three faint Chatellerault stamps. The obverse of the crosspiece is stamped with the number 548 and the letter M.
The ribbed brass grip is in excellent condition and the external spring catch is in good working order. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The bayonet is complete with its rolled steel scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition with a speckled patina. The scabbard is marked on the ball finial and at the throat. The blade sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an increasingly hard to find French M1842 yataghan sword bayonet in excellent condition.
