Featured in this lot is this well kept, French M1874 Gras Rifle Bayonet manufactured at the French State Arms plant St. Etienne in August of 1875. The French M1874 Gras bayonet, produced from 1874 to 1885, was the last of the classic French "sword-type" bayonets, featuring a 20.5-inch T-section blade, brass hilt, and wooden grips. Designed for the 11mm Gras breech-loading rifle, it replaced the M1866 Chassepot, serving in colonial conflicts and through WWI, often seeing extensive use by the French Foreign Legion. The blade is marked on the spine in French reading, "Mre d'Armes de St. Etienne - Aout 1875" which translates to "Arms Manufacture of Saint-Étienne - August 1875". The serial number can be seen above the handle on the guard reading, "F55885" which would have matched the serial number of the gun it was associated and paired with. Also on the guard are three inspection stamps reading, "(Star) T / M / (Crown) D". Present on one side of the blade on the ricasso are two other stamps from the General Controller and Arsenal Director of Saint-Etienne Arms Manufacturer at the time in 1875. On the top of the guard are four other markings reading, "S / 14 / C / 2". These are unidentified marks. The bayonet shows good condition overall with slight wear present from its age and use over the years, but no major signs of damage is noted. The blade measures 20 5/8" L x 7/8" W x 1/2" D, while the handle (from top of the guard) measures 6 5/8" L x 4" W x 1" D. The entire piece has a length of 25 3/8" and a total weight of 1 pound and 4 ounces.