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Information about this bayonet
This Harper’s Ferry made bayonet has a hilt very similar to the Model 1841 Type II bayonet except for the lug slot. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 122 mm long and has 16 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 22.5 mm. There is a forward swept heavy cylindrical finial on top of the muzzle ring and a forward swept round finial on the bottom of the guard. The press stud spring length is 40 mm in length and the press stud flat is notched in the same manner as the Ames style press stud. There is a small steel rivet through the hilt and tang close behind the guard.
The lug slot is chamfered on both sides leaving the stop end squared with no guide slot. The hilt flat frequently has inspector proofs stamped close behind the muzzle ring and sometimes in the inside the lug slot.
The curved blade is 552 mm long and has unstopped fullers. Some blades are stamped US on the ricasso while others are not.
Information from other sources
George Moller, American Military Shoulder Arms, states on May 3, 1857, the Harper’s Ferry Armory was ordered to eliminate the guide key from the bayonet attachment on ongoing Model 1841 Rifle alterations and the 1857 pattern projecting bayonet stud without guide key was adopted. The same stud that was used on the Model 1855 Rifle. Actual numbers produced with this bayonet stud is uncertain but as many as 4,500 is believed to have been produced.
Watertown Arsenal altered 298 Model 1841 Rifles for the state of Massachusetts in July 1858 by adding a bayonet stud for a saber bayonet. The bayonet stud was then the newest model and it is without guide key.
Speculation and questions
The bayonet used for this alteration is believed to be the standard Model 1855 sword bayonet that was produced by Harper’s Ferry for the Model 1855 Rifle at that time. There are no known differences between the bayonets used for the 1855 Alterations and the M1855 Rifle.
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