Reference # 330

Unknown Alteration

of a Whitney Model 1841/55 Derivative Rifle Bayonet

Type 2

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 41 millimeter long spring are typical of those produced by Ames Manufacturing during the early part of the US Civil War. There is no steel rivet in the center of the cross guard.

The lug slot appears unaltered from the original issue. There is no guide bar slot.

The only markings on this example is a five digit number stamped on the butt of the pommel.

The original muzzle ring was 22.6 millimeters in diameter and it was flush with the hilt flat. What appears to be a brass bushing has been inserted inside the muzzle ring, reducing the inside diameter to 19.7 millimeters.

The bright unmarked yataghan blade is 516 millimeters long and appears to be unaltered from its original condition. The remains of a Type 3B scabbard was found with this example and may be original.

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

This bayonet appears to originally be a Whitney Model 1841/55 Derivative Rifle Bayonet - Type 3 that was made by Ames Manufacturing the 1860 to 1861 time range. They are dimensionally the same in every aspect other than the muzzle ring bushing.

The bushed muzzle ring diameter of 19.7 millimeters is an unusual size for war time and post war weapons.

The source and purpose of this alteration is total speculation but Ed Hull's article above shows that many surplus bayonets were modified, post Civil War, for various firearms used around the world. The Whitney firearms and their bayonets were heavily used by the Confederates during the US Civil War, so it is possible that this bayonet was modified to fit a shotgun or commercial rifle by the Confederates.

Due to the similarities to Unknown Alteration of a Whitney Model 1841/55 Derivative Rifle Bayonet Type 1, it will be listed as Post War until further information proves otherwise.