Chassepot 1866 Saber-bayonet - Imperial Manufactory Of St-étienne (april 1868)

A very beautiful French Model 1866 bayonet saber for the Chassepot rifle, complete with its steel scabbard. This regulation piece from the late Second Empire (Napoleon III) features a particularly rich array of factory, workshop, and proof marks, making it a superb example of military industrial organization on the eve of the 1870 war.

• Back of the blade: Partially legible cursive arsenal engraving: “Mre Impale de St Étienne April 1868”.
• Blade heel (Side A): Includes its two original acceptance marks: the circled “B” (Chief Inspector Bouchaud?) and the crowned “M” (Factory Director, Captain Magnin?).
• Blade heel (Side B): Stamped with a large workshop number “3” perfectly clear at the base.
• Crossguard and Quillon (Guard): Made of iron, marked “M 6157” (regulatory M series from Saint-Étienne). Below the serial number is the Director’s hallmark M and the identical repeat of the assembly control number “3”. The curved quillon also reveals a monogram (“S” intertwined with an anchor, from the Société des Forges de St-Émiland?) accompanied by the die number “ 9”, indicating that the steel blanks were privately subcontracted for the imperial arsenals.
• Sheath: Made of sheet steel, showing remarkable field wear. Its original serial number was officially crossed out with a regulation chisel at the arsenal during a reassignment, then re-serialized just below it as “ L 6554” (Series L, also from Saint-Étienne). The back of the scabbard bears its specific inspection marks, notably the strength test square and the “C” for workshop inspection.

The weapon is in sound condition, with its natural patina, and has not undergone any aggressive modern cleaning. The one-piece brass handle has a very beautiful patina from use, featuring 15 ridges. The hollow-edged Yatagan blade is clean, straight, and at its original length.
The locking mechanism is in perfect working order: the push button and its external steel spring are fully functional. The scabbard is sound, with no dents or perforating rust.

The photos attest to the condition of the item.

Blade length: 57.5 cm
Overall length: 71 cm