French M1866 Nickel-plated Police Issue Chassepot Bayonet
A fine example of this famous French bayonet, nickel-plated for police or ceremonial issue.
The 57.5 cm nickel-plated blade is in excellent condition and is marked on the ricasso with a single inspection stamp. The bayonet has a squared fuller and the spine of the blade is not engraved, consistent with German manufacture. The blade was sharpened to a razor edge prior to plating and even with the additional plating layer is still surprisingly sharp.
The hooked quillon bears three inspection stamps although only one (a crowned letter “B” is clearly legible. The crosspiece and scabbard bear matching serial numbers – “18141.”
When issued as an attachment to a Chassepot rifled musket the serial number of the bayonet begins with a letter prefix that corresponds to the same letter and number combination on the firearm.
When issued as a sidearm and not intended for use with a firearm the serial number does not include any letters. Bayonets issued purely as a sidearm were often nickel-plated and issued to the police, bandsmen or ceremonial guards.
The plating on this bayonet is in very good condition with only minor bubbling and flaking on the scabbard and hilt.
This is a very rare example of a ceremonial or police issue sidearm with matching scabbard.
