Yataghan or bayonet?

[TVV]

Could it be a Martini-Henry M1871 bayonet? The Ottomans were armed with this model during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. I could not find a good picture of this bayonet and hopefully DD can help. What I can say with certainty is that it is neither a Chassepot, nor a Snider bayonet, nor a bayonet for the 1874 Martini-Peabody rifle.

[Ian]

Michael:

AKAIK the only Martini bayonet that had a recurved "yataghan" style blade is P1860, which seems to be a direct descendant of the P1856/P1858 that I mentioned above. The P1860 was certainly adapted for use on the Martini-Henry Mk I M1871. Again, the same features that I mentioned above for the P1856/P1858 are different from Manolo's sword.

There is a nice web site on Martini bayonets here: http://www.martinihenry.com/bayonets.htm

ian.

Originally Posted by TVV

Could it be a Martini-Henry M1871 bayonet? The Ottomans were armed with this model during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. I could not find a good picture of this bayonet and hopefully DD can help. What I can say with certainty is that it is neither a Chassepot, nor a Snider bayonet, nor a bayonet for the 1874 Martini-Peabody rifle.

[tom hyle]

It is probably not a rehilted bayonet (another over-attributed source) but an original European sword made with a similar blade; even if identical to a bayonet blade, such variations were quite common as new goods, and are often seen amongs European cutlery. Such items were produced for military and civilian/private-issue markets. It appears to be Eastern/central European; I'd suggest Austria were it not for the highly developed ears. If we've never seen this individual before, I remember having simialr comments on something a LOT like it; one could do a search; something may have been discovered in that discussion; my library computer time is running short..............

[not2sharp]

Originally Posted by tom hyle

It is probably not a rehilted bayonet (another over-attributed source) but an original European sword made with a similar blade; even if identical to a bayonet blade, such variations were quite common as new goods, and are often seen amongs European cutlery. Such items were produced for military and civilian/private-issue markets. It appears to be Eastern/central European; I'd suggest Austria were it not for the highly developed ears. If we've never seen this individual before, I remember having simialr comments on something a LOT like it; one could do a search; something may have been discovered in that discussion; my library computer time is running short..............

I agree with Tom; this looks like a purpose made short sword. Just about every Western power made some of these during the 19th century. The US had an 1870s Coast Guard dress sword with a yatagan blade, and countless variations were also produced for verteran organizations, social groups, and private purchase.



Here is one that originally sold as a souvenir at the US Columbian Exposition.

n2s

[Robert]

I'm not sure that I would dismiss the bayonet idea. I've seen a few but not to many of the swords like not2sharp has posted and non of them have had the T shaped spine like on the one posted by Manolo. I have an unidentified bayonet with a T spine and a bronze grip and guard that has a blade almost identical to the one in the first post. I will take pictures and measurements and post them tomorrow as it is getting late and I hear bed calling me.


Robert

[Robert]

OK, I must have given the one I was talking about to my Grandson but here is another. Total length is 27-3/8" with a 22-1/2" blade. This one has an iron guard and brass grip. One thing I meant to mention is that a lot of the small swords that were made for the World Colombian Exposition (in particular the Guards swords) were made by the Ames Sword Company and were made from left over bayonet blades. Hope this helps.


Robert

[not2sharp]

Here is a Spanish model 1881 machete sidearm - which also had a yataghan blade.

n2s