Original 19th Century French M1866 Chassepot and M1874 Gras Bayonet Set with Early Dates Antique Long Guns which is in the form

which is in the form of a very large "Bowie Knife"

complete with its original scabbard and portepee sword knot

This was the first offensive air action undertaken against the Japanese home islands and it was 26 months before American bombers penetrated the skies over Japan to finish the job begun by Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders

which unfortunately does give enough information to know which company manufactured it

The story of how the knife came to be is shrouded in myth

Original 19th Century French M1866 Chassepot and M1874 Gras Bayonet Set with Early Dates Antique Long Guns which is in the formOriginal Items: Only Ones Available. Lot of two Franco Prussian War Period French Bayonets; A M 1866 Chassepot Yataghan Style Saber Bayonet dated 1870, and a M 1874 Gras Bayonet Dated 1875 (1st year of production!). The M 1866 Chassepot Bayonet: This is a very nice example of the long "yataghan" saber bladed bayonet for the French Fusil Modle 1874 "Gras" Rifle, Fusil modle 1866 "Chassepot" Needle Fire rifle. These were very often cut down or altered