French M1842 Yataghan sword bayonet made between 1848 & 1849 at the Chatellersult armoury for use with several variations of French carbine rifle. The M1842 is a formidable bayonet, a far more robust forerunner to the often encountered M1866 Chassepot bayonet.
The heavy 572mm yataghan blade has a flat, T-section spine above a long, single fuller on each side and tapers to a double-edged spear point. The blade is in great condition with tiny spots of light age related tarnish towards the point. The blade was armoury sharpened.
The ricasso bears the stamp of the Chatellerault armoury director, Francois Gaudin, a crowned letter G surrounded by laurels within an oval. Gaudin was the Chatellerault director from the 9th August 1848 to the 21st December 1849. The second stamp is that of the armouries’ first controller, Joseph Bisch, an oval containing a star above the letter B. The obverse bears the number 16.
The steel crosspiece has very mild, speckled tarnish. The crosspiece has a slightly hooked, rear facing quillon and a coxcomb on the muzzle ring. The steel bears two faint Chatellerault stamps, a star above the letter B in a shield being that of the armouries’ second controller, Francois Bisch. The second stamp is illegible. The crosspiece is also stamped with the number 947.
The ribbed brass grip is in excellent condition and the external spring catch is in good working order. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The bayonet is complete with its rolled steel scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition with a speckled patina. The scabbard is marked on the ball finial and at the throat. The blade sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an increasingly hard to find French M1842 yataghan sword bayonet in very good condition.
