French army. M1866 bayonet

Jim McDougall · Today, 08:05 PM

To me the most intriguing thing about French military bayonets is the potential of association with the French Foreign Legion (in a thread last year), and the novel "Beau Geste" by Christopher Wren. Then the movies, most well known the 1939 version with Gary Cooper.

In the book, it seems that the Gras M1874 was the last sword bayonet for the French, and sword bayonet was specified in the book.

It seems very possible that Chassepots (1866,1874,1876) might have been in use as well.

In the 1939 movie, the bayonet seen in the specified scene was a 1866 Lebel, epee type blade but not sword hilt....these were known as 'Rosalie'.

Naturally, it is hard to say which bayonet corresponds exactly to the Foreign Legion, regionally, period etc. and of course literature and movies do not necessarily specify correctly as a rule. However, this example to me is likely, 'of the type' in use, and that is enough for me.

Today, 08:05 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,929	To me the most intriguing thing about French military bayonets is the potential of association with the French Foreign Legion (in a thread last year), and the novel "Beau Geste" by Christopher Wren. Then the movies, most well known the 1939 version with Gary Cooper. In the book, it seems that the Gras M1874 was the last sword bayonet for the French, and sword bayonet was specified in the book. It seems very possible that Chassepots (1866,1874,1876) might have been in use as well. In the 1939 movie, the bayonet seen in the specified scene was a 1866 Lebel, epee type blade but not sword hilt....these were known as 'Rosalie'. Naturally, it is hard to say which bayonet corresponds exactly to the Foreign Legion, regionally, period etc. and of course literature and movies do not necessarily specify correctly as a rule. However, this example to me is likely, 'of the type' in use, and that is enough for me.