It is heavily-constructed, with a double-edged, unfullered blade. The brass crosspiece has spirals with domed finials.  The ferrule and pommel are also brass. The pommel cap is missing, revealing the peened tang. The grip appears made of walnut.

The majority of M1874 Gras rifles were produced for the French government. However, the Gras rifle was also manufactured for commercial sale by Steyr in Austria and exported to Greece, Chile, and other unidentified "overseas-states" (believed to indicate South America and Asia).

This bayonet was manufactured for commercial sale by the German firm, Alexander Coppel of Solingen. It was once thought that these were made for Belgium, however, that is no longer believed to be correct. The country for which Coppel produced these bayonets is not known.

The ricasso bears the familiar Alex. Coppel "scales" trademark. The only other markings are a Crown over LR on the crosspiece and on the scabbard's ball finial. There are subtle differences in the hilt between the French M1874 and the Coppel M1874. The different shape and angle of the leaf spring is evident in this comparison image. Examples of the Coppel M1874 are scarce and examples that include the correct Coppel scabbard are rare.

The majority of M1874 bayonets were produced for the French government. French Government M1874 bayonets are marked on the blade spine in French with the factory, month, and year of production. M1874 bayonets made by Steyr for export to countries other than France were marked on the blade spine in German, "Waffenfabrik Steyr" (Weapons Factory Steyr) and the year of production.

Other uncommon commercial M1874 bayonets are those produced in France by Sutterlin, Lippmann & Cie. and Francois Louis Henry.

Crosspiece: "Crown-LR"

Tang (upper): "E. D." inside stippled oval

Tang (lower): "4"

Scabbard (ball finial): "Crown-LR" and "2"

This bayonet shares the shorter hilt length of the M1904 Mauser-Vergueiro bayonets (e.g., Brazil, Portugal). This distinguishes it from the M1908 bayonets (e.g., Brazil, Uruguay), which have a longer hilt.

This example was made by the firm, E. & F. Hörster of Solingen. This two-line italic trademark was used from ca. 1902 through the First World War.

The Mauser M1904 rifles (sometimes marked M1907) were off-the-shelf Gewehr 98-based military rifles sold commercially by DWM and Mauser to fulfill small orders. They had a short bayonet bar, requiring the bayonet to have a muzzle ring.

Countries documented as having procured the Mauser M1904; and that do not have a well-documented bayonet type include:

Bolivia (M1907)—4,000 rifles from DWM in 1907
Brazil (M1907)—quantity unknown from DWM ca. 1904–07
Colombia (M1904)—2,000 rifles from DWM in 1907
Paraguay (M1907)—7,600 rifles from DWM in 1907

The first rifles and bayonets to conform to the M1904 pattern were actually the Siamese Type 45 Mauser rifles and bayonets produced in 1903 at the Imperial Japanese Army Arsenal at Tokyo (Kowisikawa). Because of this, the Siamese Type 45 bayonet and M1904 Mauser bayonets are interchangeable.

Crosspiece: "41"

This is a case of knowing who made the bayonet, but not for which country it was made. The ricasso is marked with the trademark of the Swiss firm, Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (S.I.G.) of Neuhausen.

There is a small shield with a star on the opposite ricasso. A shield with star is typically associated with Chile, however, this does not resemble the shield found on other Chilean M1895 and M1912 bayonets. The scabbard is from a Chilean M1912 bayonet.

These bayonets surface occasionally, indicating they were produced in quantity, just not very large numbers. Hopefully, further research will lead to clarification regarding which country received these bayonets.

Steyr produced M1912 rifles for Brazil, Chile, Columbia, and Mexico. Chilean rifles were all produced during FY 1912/13, while orders from Columbia, and Brazil were split between FYs 1912/13 and 1913/14. Mexico's order was the smallest and was produced entirely during FY 1913/14.

Research published in 2019 by Australian author/researcher, Dr. David Nielsen, in his book, History of the Mauser Rifle in Chile, documents in detail S.I.G. Neuhausen's proposed involvement in facilitating Waffenfabrik Mauser's production and/or supply of additional M1912 Carbines to Chile in violation of the Treaty of Versailles ca. 1929. There is no mention of bayonets in the period documentation uncovered by Dr. Nielsen, however, this establishes a direct connection between S.I.G. Neuhausen and production/supply of Mauser M1912 arms to Chile. While we still can't conclusively tie this bayonet to Chile, it is looking more likely that these are Chilean and were most likely produced 1929–35, when Chile attempted to procure additional M1912 carbines and procured the M1935 carbine.

Ricasso: shield with star

Crosspiece: "A3452"

Pommel: "E"

Scabbard (frog stud): "A9050"

Scabbard (ball finial): triangle mark

The long straight belt loop, triangle stitching, and brass thorn are consistent with known Yugoslavian frogs. However, the placement of the hilt strap and shape of the front piece are not.

Measures 9.75 in. (248 mm.) long by 2.00 in.(51 mm.) wide at the widest point.

This frog was not classified by Carter.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

The frog exhibits characteristics of both the Portuguese Infantry Belt Frog and the South African Pattern 1970 Frog, but is not an exact match to either.

The frog measures 7.50 in. (191 mm.) long by 1.375 in. (35 mm.) wide.

This frog was not classified by Carter.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

Reverse: illegible mark

Dome Fastener (inside): "STOCKO"