Need help identifying this Bayonet (pic heavy)

[hexidismal]

Hi all. This bayonet came out of my grandfather's belongings after his passing. He's been gone for a few years now, but we're only just getting to clearing and organizing everything from storage. I'd like to know if anyone here with more knowledge of historical items can properly identify it, and what firearm it was intended for. I don't know if it is a genuine antique or a copy. Either way it has to be fairly old as it must have been in storage for 50 years or more.

Here's some facts about it. Pics are below.
It has a metal scabbard. The blade is a triangular or T type shape. At the base of the blade are the markings of the letter M in a circle, and the letter S in a diamond. ON the flat top of the blade is writing which I believe to be French. The letters are clear, but I cant make out the script. Nor do I have any knowledge of the French language. I couldn't get good photos of this at the moment. Near as I can tell it says, "Mue ( or Nue,Nus,Mus) d' Armes (or Ormes) de (or da) *something I cant make out* .. Etinne ( or Stiema.. or something ) Juin 1877". The only markings on the scabbard appears to be a tiny script letter L and the serial 33443.








So.. any ideas ?

 

[2RCO]

She's a Frenchy for a 11 mm Chassepot M66/74. The Bayonet was made at St. Etienne in 1877.

 

[hexidismal]

Ha.. you're right, thanks. You know.. If I had just googled 1877 bayonet I probably would have found it easily enough. With that info though I was able to find some other examples that are a definite match online. The scabbard and some sections are fairly rusty , I guess I'll see what I can do to clean it up before fully assessing its monetary value. collectorssource.com seems to have one, slightly cleaner, for sale for $135. And there is one currently on ebay for more.

 

[2RCO]

Hexi the dead giveaway was the St. Etienne on the blade!

 

[hexidismal]

Yeah.. *sigh* .. I really should have caught that myself, especially after I just recently helped someone else identify a St. Etienne Item... hehe
For some reason it just didn't cross my mind that that's what it said here

 

[Jim K]

Your full marking is "M're d'Armes de St. Etienne", or Arms Manufactory of St. Etienne. "M're" is the abbreviation for "Manufacture" and St. Etienne is the city where the arsenal is located.

Jim

 

[hexidismal]

Ah, thanks Jim

 

[JMCCARDLE]

bayonet

In watching the "Antiques Road Show" I have learned it is better not to clean or restore some items. You should inquire from collectors if it is a good idea or not to remove the patina etc before you do. Just a thought. Jack

 

[Acheron]

Manufacture d'Armes de St. Etienne is the major French arms producer. Has been for almost 150 years. The name is usually abbreviated as MAS, as in MAS-36, MAS-49, an FAMAS.