Garron Posted 5 August , 2011 Share Posted 5 August , 2011 Its made by Chatellerault Arsenal in 1874 and it now the oldest item in my collection. It just fits into the WW1 theme I have as it was used very early on I believe. Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 5 August , 2011 Share Posted 5 August , 2011 One of those started my first collection, my old man picked it up from the mud while working digging ditches and reclaiming land at the Thameshaven refinery in the late 50's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 5 August , 2011 Share Posted 5 August , 2011 My first as well, a gift from my neighbour whose father had brought it home in 1918. Several years afterwards I realised it had German makings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garron Posted 5 August , 2011 Author Share Posted 5 August , 2011 Sadly mine doesn't have any German markings, though it must have been one of the last Mle 1866 bayonets to be produced as the Gras was introduced in 1874 and mine was made Jan 1874. Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N White Posted 6 August , 2011 Share Posted 6 August , 2011 One of mine is March of 1874, and I have seen pictures of examples marked 75. Also, if I recall correctly Gras carbines were issued with the earlier yataghan bayonet instead of the new t backed one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 6 August , 2011 Share Posted 6 August , 2011 Gaz, is this ANOTHER Cardiff find???!!! I am going to the local 'Antika Fuari' tomorrow and doubt if I'll get to see anyhting like that. Should I migrate to Wales? Trajan Trajan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 6 August , 2011 Share Posted 6 August , 2011 I love French bayonets, my evening class french teacher thought I was slightly mad using the publication Les Baionnettes Reglementaires Francaises de 1840 a 1918 to practice my reading skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 6 August , 2011 Share Posted 6 August , 2011 Ich hatte meine deutsch erstmals gelernt auf eine WWII Deutsche soldaten 'Deutsche-English worterbuch'. (courtesy of then German girlfriend's mother)... So, I know what you mean - you end up with a limited but highky specialist vocab and a strange (und auch oftmals schreckliche!) syntax and spelling.. But then we progress... Hoffentlich! Trajan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garron Posted 6 August , 2011 Author Share Posted 6 August , 2011 I know more military words in French than I do regular vocabulary, I could explain the differences between the Lebel Magazine and the Berthier 3 and 5 clip but couldnt order a coffee on the Somme. No Trajan its not a Cardiff find, though he does have a few quite cheap. My post seems to have reverted to an earlier edit It was a gift from a friend I edited the post from what seen now just to give the backstory as it looks like I buying up every bayonet is South Wales otherwise Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 7 August , 2011 Share Posted 7 August , 2011 I haven't been to a boot fair for a while but never saw any decent militaria, round here they only flog the contents of sheds (probably other peoples sheds). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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