A French Model 1866 "Chassepot" Yataghan Bayonet with Steel Scabbard.

A French Model 1866 "Chassepot" Yataghan Bayonet with Steel Scabbard. This French Model 1866 bayonet, designed for the legendary Chassepot needle-fire rifle, is a quintessential example of mid-19th-century European military sidearms, famously utilized during the Franco-Prussian War. The weapon features a distinctive yataghan-style blade forged from tempered steel, characterized by a graceful recurve and a deep fuller designed to provide maximum structural rigidity while maintaining a balanced weight. The hilt is composed of a ribbed brass grip, ergonomically textured for a secure purchase, and is paired with a steel crossguard featuring a muzzle ring and a prominent downward-swept hooked quillon. Serial number "U 80336" and the additional marking "3 Z" struck into the crossguard, while the ricasso bears a circular arsenal inspection stamp. Accompanied by its original curved steel scabbard, the entire assembly measures approximately 71 cm in total length, standing as a formidable artifact of the French Second Empire's ordnance craftsmanship. The item is in good condition.