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Information about this bayonet
This bayonet is totally unmarked and the manufacturer is uncertain. The hilt is very similar to a Collins’ long style hilt and the press stud construction (other than the spring length) is the same as Collins'. The 41 mm press stud spring is of the length found on Ames and Harpers Ferry produced springs but it appears to have been pressed out of sheet spring steel as found on Collins' produced springs. The blade dimensions and lack of a rivet through the guard are very similar to those made by Ames during the pre-war period. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 125 mm long and has 14 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 20.3 mm. There is a forward swept round finial on the bottom of the guard and no finial on top of the muzzle ring.
The lug slot is chamfered around the top edge and there is no guide slot.
The large bright yataghan blade is 557 mm long, 31.5 mm wide, 8.9 mm thick and has unstopped fullers. The correct scabbard for this bayonet has not yet been identified.
Information from other sources
Rollin Davis, US Sword Bayonets 1847 to 1865, states the Navy ordered 500 Joslyn Rifles with sword bayonets on September 9, 1859. After some production problems, they were manufactured by A.H. Waters of Millbury, Mass. An undetermined number of rifles (Generally believed at 150 to 200) were delivered in 1860 and 1861.
Davis also claims that the brass hilted sword bayonets were made by Ames Manufacturing Company. The overall length is 25 inches (635 mm), the blade length is 20 inches (508 mm) and the blade width is 1 1/16 inches (27 mm) at the hilt. The muzzle ring inside diameter is 21 mm. The Ames four line scroll logo is stamped on the left ricasso and the right ricasso is dated 1860.
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Rock Island Auction Company has an example listed on their web site with the rifle that is from the George Moller Collection.
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J & J Military Antiques listed an example on their web site and stated that it fit their Joslyn Rifle perfectly.
https://jjmilitary.com/?product=joslyn-m-1855-navy-rifle-saber-bayonet
Speculation and questions
Several examples of this bayonet have been observed and all were completely unmarked. The fit and finish of this bayonet is very high quality and similar to what Harpers Ferry was producing in the late 1850's but other factors such as the hilt design and spring construction are very similar to those produced by Collins. Did Springfield produce bayonets? Currently I believe this bayonet was pre-war made by Collins and possibly their first brass hilted sword bayonet.
This bayonet does not match the Ames produced example described by Davis but three of the observed examples have been test fitted to the Joslyn Navy Rifle without issue.
Example Reference # 1784
Example Reference # 1784
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.2
Overall Length ---------------- 679*
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 554*
Blade Width ------------------- 31.2
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.1
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 99
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------ None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.2
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.9
Lug Width -------------------- 8.8
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.1
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.0
*Light sharpening to the tip of the blade.
This example is unmarked. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is not original and may be incorrect for this bayonet.
Example Reference # 1737
Example Reference # 1737
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.4
Overall Length ---------------- 679*
Hilt Length -------------------- 124
Blade Length ------------------ 555*
Blade Width ------------------- ?
Blade Thickness --------------- ?
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------ None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- ?
Lug Slot Width --------------- ?
Lug Width -------------------- ?
Lug Thickness ---------------- ?
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
*This blade has been sharpened and repointed reducing OAL and blade length.
This example is unmarked.
Example Reference # 1861
Example Reference # 1861
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.3
Overall Length ---------------- 682
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 557
Blade Width ------------------- 31.5
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.2
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 99
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------ None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.7
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.7
Lug Width -------------------- 8.9
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.2
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.0
This example is unmarked. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is not original and may be incorrect for this bayonet.
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