What is a Chassepot bayonet?

What is a Chassepot bayonet?

The Chassepot (pronounced “shase-poh”), officially known as Fusil modèle 1866, was a bolt-action military breechloading rifle. It is famous for having been the arm of the French forces in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871.

When was the bayonet used in the Civil War?

One of the most famous uses of bayonets in the Civil War occurred on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Confederates were attempting to capture Little Round Top in an effort to get around the Union left flank.

What type of bayonets were used in the Civil War?

Many Civil War bayonets (though not all) were socket-style, meaning they had a hole that slipped over the muzzle of the gun and locked into place. The socket bayonet was the most widely used during the war. Modern and some pre-war bayonets clipped or snapped the knife, sword or dagger into place at the end of the gun.

What was the first bolt-action rifle?

The first-ever bolt-action rifle was a muzzle-loading needle rifle, produced in 1824 by German arms designer Johann Nicolaus von Dreyse. Von Dreyse would later design the first breechloading bolt-action needle rifle in 1836.

When did the military stop using bolt-action rifles?

The bolt action rifle first appeared in the early 1800s. The U.S. and most other armies had adopted these guns by the late 1800s, and the bolt-action remained the primary infantry gun for most soldiers worldwide until the second world war.

Is there a scabbard on this bayonet?

No scabbard. These bayonets were made by shortening the 1871 sword bayonets with the original handles and crossguards with short leaf spring and a nut on the end of the pommel. Faint maker’s marking on the blade ricasso. Crossguard serial numbered CA3714.

How similar is this to the French Chassepot bayonet?

Very similar to the French 1866 Chassepot bayonet except that this piece has a more rounded pommel and the leaf spring is secured by a screw versus a rivet. Marked with inspection marking and 1869 date on the blade ricasso with matching serial number 3764 on the crossguard and scabbard top fitting.

How rare is a French 1866 bayonet?

Very rare bayonet. The French 1866 bayonet is made by P.D.L. (P. D. Luneschloss) with Japanese characters along the fuller of the blade. Brass handle with some patina with serial number 1735 on the crossguard. Yataghan fullered blade with some sharpening, cleaning and sharpening.

How many bayonets did the Navy use in the 1894 carbine?

Only about 400 bayonets were used by the Navy for the 1894 carbine which had the locking mechanism modified for this bayonet. This modification was ordered in 1907 but was not delivered until 1913.