Fireplace tong made from a French made M 1874 Gras bayonet and an Austrian made M 1874 Gras Bayonet.

Fireplace tong made from two M 1874 Gras bayonets. Very nice tong made from a French made M 1874 gras bayonet and the blade of an Austrian made Gras bayonet attached to the muzzle ring of the bayonet and fixed by a rivet.  On both blade tips are round platforms welded.
The tong is in a very good working condition and the bayonet still has its serial number: M 99873 on the quillon and a makers name and date on the blade spine:  Mft. d' Armes de St. Etienne. Febr. 1880. Excellent brass pommel with a working catch and Excellent wooden grips. 
The added Austrian made Gras blade has a makers name and date: USINE DE STEIJER 1874  on the blade spine. The tang of the added blade is twisted, thus forming a tumb rest to manipulate the tong.

These interesting fireplace utensils are made before 1914. 

A very nice item for the advanced collector or for a man cave!