Reference # 314

Whitney Rolling Block Rifle Bayonet

Type 1

Information about this bayonet

This bayonet is unmarked but it has a typical Collins style long hilt. The ribbed brass hilt is 122 mm long and has 14 ribs. The hilt ribs have a smooth textured finish. 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 51 mm long spring are typical Collins style construction. There is a steel blade rivet in the center of the cross guard. The muzzle ring is flush with the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 18.3 mm.

The lug slot edges are straight and unchamfered and there is an 80 mm guide slot that runs to the middle of the muzzle ring. The yataghan blade is 542 mm long and has heavy unstopped fullers.

The lug slot is 10.0 millimeters deep, measured from the hilt flat to the bottom of the lug slot.

This Type 1 bayonet varies from the Whitney Rolling Block Type 2 by the smooth finish of the hilt ribs as opposed to the rough textured ribs of the Type 2.

Information from other sources

Jerry L. Janzen, Bayonets of the Remington Cartridge Period, pg. 100, refers to these bayonets as "Remington Generic Saber Bayonets". Janzen also states, "Some of the state and local issued weapons (Remington Rifles) may have included the Remington generic saber bayonet. Though typically a brass-gripped yataghan, it has been observed fitted with different blades. This could possibly be the work of Schuyler, Hartley and Graham (New York arems dealer). It has also been observed attached to Evans sporting rifles."

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This bayonet appears to be the same as #121 in Albert Hardin's book The Americian Bayonet 1776 - 1964, listed as unknown.

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Ed Hull believes that this bayonet is for the Whitney Rolling Block Rifle and states that the dimensions of the Whitney bayonet is unique, but the larger slot width and lug dimensions allow it to also fit on the Remington rifle. The Remington bayonet will not fit on the Whitney rifle.

Speculation and questions

This bayonet is identified as a Whitney Rolling Block based on Ed Hull's knowledge of this subject. It varies from the Remington Rolling Block mainly on the depth of the lug slot. This difference is most noticeable by the location of the press stud spring which is 2 millimeters closer to the middle of the grip on the Whitney version.