How can I trace a French Mayor or the owner of a French M1866 Chassepot bayonet?

[jamesmurray]

Dear all,

My dad died last year and he left me an M1866 Chassepot bayonet with scabbard and this story about his grandfather:

'Grandad George Bayley handed me a huge French bayonet, present from a French friend who survived six months of hell in Verdun only to be shot by German troops two weeks after giving granddad the keepsake.  ”I survived because I learnt to drive in the States. Rare in those days. Once realized by the brass, no more trenches! Even acted as chauffeur to a local French mayor!  Took me in when I developed flu in 1918. Probably saved my life” '

It would be amazing to give this bayonet back to the descendants of that French friend or indeed to trace the kindly mayor. Any ideas as to where I should start?

Best Wishes

James

[AndyBsk]

Firstly You have no overall view here, from the piece, secondly the scabbard is probably different number as bayonet, so the both piece were joined and were not from start together, the blade is made by Weyersberg, Solingen as visible by Kings head on blade, it could be a war 1870 delivery and quick assembly, anyway similar blades were used mainly on Remington M1867 not on Chassepot M66, the scabbard looks like normal Chassepot serialed. The anchor marking was used on colonial units equipment, so found something from this marking is impossible. It was total obsolete in WW1, so it could be used by cardriver out of front line.

[jamesmurray]

@AndyBsk thanks for the quick insight.  Looks like tracing a French mayor who owned a car in 1918 is more likely to have a result than trying to find a French soldier by a bayonet which as you say may not be a match for the scabbard.