Reference # 132

Horstmann Saber Socket Bayonet

Information about this bayonet

The bright blade is 525 millimeters long and has large, 25 millimeters wide, rounded fullers that run to the point of the blade. The pattern of the blade is straight and tapered to a central point. The fullers are stopped at the hilt leaving narrow ricassos that are approximately 7 millimeters wide. A leather washer is often found on the blade next to the crossguard.

The brass hilt is made in two pieces. The first piece is a simple crossguard with top and bottom extending quillons that end in identical round finials. The second piece is a smoothly finished hand grip, oval in cross section, that narrows and curves upward into a 53 millimeter long socket. The inside diameter of the socket is 22.6 millimeters. This example is numbered with a 4.5 millimeter font on the grip immediately behind the crossguard.

A stud slot is cut into the right side of the socket for a 8.6 millimeter long and 5.8 millimeter wide stud.

The blade tang extends through the elbow where the grip transitions into the socket where it has been peened.

Information from other sources

Albert N. Hardin, The American Bayonet 1776 – 1964, "Without doubt this is one of the most unusual specimens encountered during this study. The companion firearm is questionable due to the over-large diameter through the socket and the odd mortise configuration." "The obverse ricasso is marked with a vertical bust of a crowned figure and the reverse ricasso bears HORSTMANN / & SONS / PHILADELPHIA. Some bayonets of this type have been observed which bear no markings." "The straight scabbard has a leather body and brass mountings. The smooth throat and tip are press fitted to the body, no retaining pins or rivets being used." "Variations of the basic bayonet and scabbard are both known to exist." Hardin did not directly identify the rifle for which this bayonet was made but he did date it by calling it Circa 1835.

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Jason Kaplan, J & J Military Antiques, "These rare bayonets are known to have been used on Mississippi Rifles by the Confederate states of Georgia and Alabama. There are known images showing soldiers with these bayonets mounted on their rifles."

Speculation and questions

The "bust of a crowned figure" that Hardin referred to, is the King's Head logo of Gebruder Weyersberg, a logo that pre-dates 1883. Gebruder Weyersberg, a prominent family of swordsmiths in Solingen, Germany, was a primary supplier of blades for W.H. Horstmann & Sons in Philadelphia. Because Horstmann was a military goods dealer and assembler, they imported high quality steel blades from Weyersberg to complete their weapons.

Currently, it is uncertain if the brass hilts were made by Horstmann or also contracted to another source.

One observed example has a brass mounted black leather scabbard marked W.H. HORSTMANN / & SONS on the back side of the brass throat mount.

Hardin was uncertain as to which rifle this bayonet was made but more recent discovery of pictures showing Confederate soldiers with this bayonet mounted to their rifles now points to the US Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle.

Unknown Confederate soldier pictured with a Horstmann saber socket bayonet mounted on his rifle.

Private Parris P. Casey of Company I, "Cherokee Rangers", 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment pictured with a Horstmann saber socket bayonet mounted on his rifle.

Were these pictured weapons just props or were they actually used by the Confederacy?

The actual production date of these bayonets is still uncertain. Hardin shows "circa 1835" but other sources claim early 1840's to early 1860's. Were these bayonets produced for some unknown unit before the US civil War or were they produced for the war?

The available information on this bayonet is scarce and some of it is very speculative.