Description

Following the Franco Prussian war of 1870 – 1871 large numbers of weapons and Chassepot 1866 bayonets fell into German hands. In 1914 the Imperial German army reworked captured French Model 1866 Chassepot bayonets to fit several different German rifles. Many were issued to Landwehr and Landsturn troops (home defence forces) during World War One unaltered as sidearms. Frequently the French script on the spine of the blade was ground off. The steel Chassepot scabbard was modified with long Prussian style frog stud, painted black and marked with Imperial German unit markings near throat. This specimen is standard Model 1866 length 27 ¼ inches, blade is 22 ½ inch and muzzle ring 17.5mm. Crossguard has German unit markings. It has does not fit the 1871/84 rifle or the 1888 Commission rifle. Scabbard has much black paint remaining and is unit marked as shown in photo. The markings on the bayonet and scabbard do not match. Interesting variant of German WW1 bayonets.