Reference # 328

Remington Rifle Alteration

from a Sharps Model 1863 Bayonet

Information about this bayonet

The ribbed brass hilt is 123 millimeters long and has 16 ribs. There is a forward swept round finial on the bottom of the guard and no finial on top of the muzzle ring. The press stud and 45 millimeter long spring are typical of those produced by Ames Manufacturing during the later part of the US Civil War. There is no steel rivet in the center of the cross guard. The muzzle ring is flush with the hilt flat and the inside diameter has been bushed to 18.1 millimeters.

The original guide bar slot has been extended to 70 millimeters and now runs to the muzzle ring. It appears that solder has been added to the slot and reformed as it approaches the muzzle ring.

A lead or solder bushing has been added to the inside of the original 20.2 millimeter muzzle ring and it appears to have been reamed out to the current 18.1 millimeter diameter. A seam in this bushing is visible on the left side. The remains of the bushing after reaming is thicker on the right side then it is on the left side.

The bright yataghan blade is 506 millimeters long. There are no markings on the only known example of this bayonet.

Information from other sources

Ed Hull, A Plymouth-to-Remington Rifle Bayonet Alteration, SABC Journal, Volume 34, states that New York City arms dealers Schuyler, Hartley & Graham (SH&G) purchased thousands of Civil War arms in the 1867 to 1900 time period, reselling them in altered or unaltered state to overseas buyers who did not need the latest, most modern arms.

In September 1876, apparently to fulfill orders from the Columbian government for 700 .43 caliber Remington rolling block rifles as well as for an unidentified buyer of an additional 500, SH&G sent a total of 2100 various saber bayonets for alteration. These went to New York gunsmithing firms of Ralph & Shrader, W.O. Starr (of the Starr Armory) and to William Coxford. The cryptic notes in the SH&G journals for the most part merely say "saber bayonets to alter to Rem.43."

Speculation and questions

The source and purpose of this alteration is total speculation but it may well have been one of the bayonets mentioned in Ed Hull's article. It could also be someones shop project just as well. Being the only known example makes it pretty difficult to even guess. But, the modifications appear to be targeted toward a rifle with similar specifications as the Remington Rolling Block Rifle.

This bayonet appears to be a modification of the Sharps Model 1863 Bayonet V2 bayonet that was made by Ames Manufacturing the 1863 to 1865 time range. It is primarily the press stud spring length and the unusual lock to muzzle length that this belief is based upon.

The scabbard and frog appear to have been with the bayonet for some time and may be original.