Can someone help me ID a WWI German Sword?

[Mikhail]

Hello everyone! I'm a little new to this place, obviously. I just bought something that was sold to me as a German Sword from the Great War, and I'm trying to dig up what I can on just what kind of sword it is and what its history is. Think anyone here can help me?

Rather rusty, has a scabbard, not very decorated but does appear to have a fitting that would let it be used as a bayonet.

Dimensions:
Length of sword = 25.25 inches
Length of blade = 21 inches
Length of hilt = 4.5 inches
Width of crossguard = 4 inches
Width of blade = 1 inch

Length of scabbard = 21.25 inches
Width of scabbard = 1.375 inchs

Photographs:

[Richie B]

Mikhail

Not German - it is a French Model 1874 bayonet for the Gras rifle.

The grips have been replaced and the spring is missing from the groove in the hilt.

Regards

Richie

[douglas2496]

Welcome to the forum. Richie's comments are correct.

By the time of The First World War these had been replaced in service by the 1886 Lebel rifle and bayonet. This bayonet looks to have been very corroded before being cleaned and restored.

[Mikhail]

So basically, I buy a WWI German Sword.

It is not WWI but 1870s-1880s
It is not German but French
It is not a sword but a bayonet.

I find this kind of hilarious. Thank you very much for the prompt and precise answers! Y'all are great.

[harryamb2]

it happens !.

[Lenny Warren]

Yup, as said before, French, they used to be really common and also often found without scabbard. Hope you didn't pay German sword money on it....