French army. M1866 bayonet

kronckew · 21st October 2024, 01:18 AM

They made great hunting swords too! Found a French 1866 scabbard for one, fits perfectly. The UK concurrently, or at least overlapping-ly, also used a yat bladed bayonet. the advantage being the spine of the bayonet attached to its rifle was further off the bore axis, allowing for easier and safer reloading. It also stayed out of tye sight picture more for longer range shots, and made a very handy sidearm in its own right for close combat, as inside buildings or fortifications.

David R · 21st October 2024, 03:34 PM

I did have a choice of this one, or a British Yat' bayonet at twice the price and with no stamps at all, so it was an easy choice in the end. The British one was definitely carried as a side arm on its own, I do wonder about the French one.

21st October 2024, 01:18 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	They made great hunting swords too! Found a French 1866 scabbard for one, fits perfectly. The UK concurrently, or at least overlapping-ly, also used a yat bladed bayonet. the advantage being the spine of the bayonet attached to its rifle was further off the bore axis, allowing for easier and safer reloading. It also stayed out of tye sight picture more for longer range shots, and made a very handy sidearm in its own right for close combat, as inside buildings or fortifications. Attached Images

21st October 2024, 03:34 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	I did have a choice of this one, or a British Yat' bayonet at twice the price and with no stamps at all, so it was an easy choice in the end. The British one was definitely carried as a side arm on its own, I do wonder about the French one. Attached Images