The Policías Fiscales were established in 1896 and became Chile’s first professional police. Increasing unrest and protests by Marxists gave rise to the need for a national police force. They indicate that these were produced by the German firm Alex Coppel of Solingen for the Policías Fiscales (Fiscal Police).
The M1874 scabbard has the French frog loop replaced with a stylized brass frog stud and a brass chape added to close the shortened scabbard body.Īccording to the Museo Histórico Carabineros de Chile (Carabineros Historical Museum of Chile), this sidearm was designated Carabineros Yataghan 1908. The blade is shortened and the muzzle ring adjustment screw ground flush. This sidearm utilizes the blade and crosspiece of the French M1874 Gras sword bayonet, mated to a cast brass hilt. Sidearm made from the French M1874 Gras sword bayonet and scabbard. The black-painted scabbard is not the typical Chilean M1895 scabbard, but appears to be the type used with the German M1884/98 Second Pattern bayonet.
The markings on M1895 bayonets are deeply struck, so this example saw considerable polishing before being plated. The scabbard has been painted with a high-gloss lacquer. This example has been nickel-plated for parade use. Ricasso (Left): "OE" over "W G" inside a circle This example was made by the Austrian firm Oesterreichsche Waffenfabrik-Gesellschaft of Steyr.Įxamples produced by Steyr are seldom encountered, suggesting that Steyr made far fewer M1895 bayonets than Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co. Ricasso (right): Chilean crest and intertwined circles. Ricasso (left): "Weyersberg" over "Kirschbaum & Co." over "Solingen"