Can some one help identify an old bayonet that has what I think is French on it?

Question

My grandfather acquired this somewhere along the line. He was not in the European theatre during WWII, he was in the Pacific reconstruction but collected many odd things. On the blade, in cursive, is engraved "Lit Etienne Fevrier 1873." It is a bayonet; it has a grove in the handle and a loop for the rifle barrel. The serial #'s on the hilt and scabbard match. The hilt has a "J" hook opposite the loop for the rifle barrel. The end of the scabbard has a bud on it so as to keep the scabbard from stabbing anyone I suppose.

If anyone just knows what the French means, that would be great. Thanks.

Answer 1

The name "Etienne" (St Etienne) is related to an old French arsenal in the 1870´s ...

Take a look here (read the description of the model)

http://cgi.ebay.com/French-Model-1874-Gr...

Or, you could try here:

http://www.oldrifles.com/fre-bay.htm

http://www.bayonets.com/

Here, go for the books:

http://arms2armor.com/Bayonets/bayonets....

Good luck!

Answer 2

It roughly translates into "Reads Etienne February"

Possibly in commenoration of sum1 named etienne that died in february?

Answer 3

From Bablefish:

Reads Etienne February 1873.

Etienne is French for Steven.

I would take it to an antique arms dealer.