Original Item. Only one Available. These are extremely scarce and hard to find! This rare bayonet has a 20 1/2″ T-Backed blade, with an overall length of 26 1/4”. Overall it is very much in the style of the French 1874 Gras bayonet, except that it features a long 5″ STRAIGHT back grip, instead of the offset design. The bayonet comes complete with its original steel scabbard.
The blade ricasso is maker marked ALEX. COPPEL / SOLINGEN, around the trademark “Scales” logo, indicating manufacture by Alexander Coppel & Co. located in the legendary “City of Blades”, Solingen. This company made large amounts of export bayonets during the 19th century, and also manufactured bayonets for many years and up through WWII under the name Alcoso. Sadly, as the Coppel family was Jewish, they saw their company stolen from them and “Aryanized” during WWII by the NSDAP. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.
Research indicates that bayonets like this were very likely issued to the Vatican for arming the “Swiss Guard”. Please see Watts & White’s fine work THE BAYONET BOOK, Page 474, illustrations Nos.1034 and 1035.
In very good condition, ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 20 1/2″
Blade Style: T-shaped
Overall length: 26 1/4″
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard Length: 21″