These are normally identified as Neuchatel M1814 hirschfangers. A few of these have turned up though without different markings that date them earlier. The markings are very unusual. It is not marked Klingenthal like the normal M1814 but it is marked with inspection stamps crown over J and crown over B. The J marking is the mark of de Juchereau- Inspector from 1787-1791. The crown B is the mark of Francois Antoine Bisch- Arsenal controller from 1784-about 1793. These markings would indicate that these blades were made in the 1780s to early 1790s.This style of bayonet was used by the Prussian Garde Schutzen Batallion. Formed in 1814 when Neuchatel changed from French hands to Prussian. However that only tells part of the story. Neuchatel was under Prussian rule from 1708-1806. Neuchatel came under French control from 1806-1814 under Napoleon. They then came back under Prussian control in 1814.The brass hilt is in nice condition. The spring is a replacement. The cross guard engraved 4 No 44. The blade shows light pitting. The leather scabbard has shrunk a bit leaving the blade exposed about 1/2 inch at the top. (Not too surprising for a scabbard that is well over 200 years old) The frog stud is missing. The chape is loose but amazingly still present. The chape is engraved Chambon- an old French name meaning Champion. A rare and unusual bayonet.
Condition: VG-
This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 17 January, 2024.
