French Model 1874 Gras bayonet

**crochunter** · 03-13-2012, 07:50 PM

Was given this by my father, he was told it was an French Model 1874 Gras bayonet (thanks again for the correction) and thought I'd share.

**Richie B** · 03-13-2012, 07:55 PM

That is a French Model 1874 Gras bayonet not a Springfield.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 03-13-2012, 07:56 PM

Agreed: Not a Springfield bayonet.

But the web frog could be German.

Cheers, Ade.

**crochunter** · 03-13-2012, 08:02 PM

Oh wow, I stand corrected. Thank you very much for clearing that up! Man, I really learn a lot at this site.

**Walkwolf** · 03-13-2012, 08:02 PM

French bayo as Richie says.

Indeed, the frog does not belong with it. Looks like
it could be DAK ( Afrika Korps ).........

**Paratrooper** · 03-16-2012, 10:04 PM

Hello boys been a while.
Sorry to correct you but it is in fact a Mod 1892 Berthier bayonet. The Lebel Rifle which was adopted after the Gras was not a popular rifle because of its tubular design magazine. Rounds loaded in behind each other caused accidents (Bullet tip strikes on percussion caps of rounds in front) Bullets go off in the soldiers face. The Berthier was a magazine fed rifle which was more conventional ie box type which proved to be a favourite with french troops in the Trenches who were equipped with them. The Lebel was still in service.

The Mod 1892 bayonet was designed for the new rifle. There are two patterns 1st and 2nd. The difference being the muzzle ring thickness, 15mmm in 1st pat and 19mm in 2nd pat.

This bayonet was also adopted by the Polish Army and called the WZ92.

I hope this helps

Regards

Jim

**lithgow** · 01-10-2013, 04:51 PM

The bayo is for the Berthier carbine for mounted troops-the Berthier long rifles used the same cruciform 'knitting needle' bayo as the Lebel rifle-the tube magazine was not suited for reloading whilst on horseback so the Mannlicher magazine system with clip loading was used in the original M1892 Berthier carbine and subsequent models-these remained in use through WW1 and 2 and indeed long after with the French police-were also used by the Germans after 1940 when they captured the French arms stockpile which may explain the non standard frog (but that may just be 'passage of time' and folks mixing up equipment in error).