This bayonet was the last of the French ‘sword-type’ bayonets. It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 ‘Gras’ Infantry Rifle, basically a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle. The ‘Gras’ was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885.This bayonet has a solid brass pommel with integral latching mechanism (push-button/spring-steel). Grips are wood. Crossguard is steel, usually ‘blued,’ with upper guard being the muzzle-ring, lower guard forming a hooked ‘blade-breaker’ quillon.Blades are steel – well made – and triangular (3-edge) in form (very sturdy as a thrusting weapon). The blades are usually marked on the back-edge (opposite the bottom cutting edge) with the arsenal, month, and year of manufacture; this is done in engraved cursive fashion on the spine of the blade ‘S.Deny Paris 1880’.Various markings