M1874 French

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	Weapon: M1874 French Type: Sword Bayonet Country of Origin: France Year Adopted: 1874 Overall Length (mm): 520.0 Overall Length (in): 20.47 Weight (kg): 0.70 Weight (pounds): 1.54

The M1874 French Bayonet, commonly known as the "Gras bayonet," was designed for use with the Fusil Modele 1874 Gras rifle. It featured a distinctive T-backed cruciform blade that provided enhanced strength and piercing ability, measuring approximately 520 mm in blade length with an overall length of around 645 mm. The bayonet had a brass hilt and a steel crossguard with a muzzle ring and was carried in a steel scabbard with a ball tip, offering both rugged durability and elegant craftsmanship characteristic of 19th-century French military equipment.

Production of the M1874 bayonet began in 1874 and continued into the late 1880s, with hundreds of thousands manufactured across various French arsenals, including St. Etienne, Chatellerault, and Tulle. It was a standard-issue bayonet for the French Army throughout the late 19th century and saw use in the early phases of World War I before being gradually replaced by more modern models like the Berthier bayonets. Its design was influenced by previous French bayonets and emphasized both effectiveness in close combat and compatibility with evolving rifle models.

The M1874 Gras bayonet remains one of the most iconic bayonets of the era and is highly collectible today due to its widespread use and historical significance. It gained notoriety not only for its use in the French colonial campaigns and World War I but also due to its export to numerous countries, where it was adapted or copied for use with similar rifles. Its robust construction and distinctive cruciform blade make it a standout example of late 19th-century European bayonet design.