Embedded Files
David Hughes Collection
Information about this bayonet
There is not much known about the history of this bayonet but examples exist with the Ames Manufacturing Company logo #2 stamped horizontally on the ricasso. The stud adapter ring, described by Trevor Bovee, makes it pretty certain that it was an early adaptation for the Model 1841 rifle.
The smooth brass hilt is 128 mm long with straight projecting quillions on both sides. A muzzle ring, 22.7 mm in diameter, is mounted in the center of the cross guard.
The spring mounted locking mechanism with a button disk is mounted into the right side of the grip where it pivots on a pin through the center hilt and mechanism.
A large lug slot, 13 millimeter wide, in the flat pommel projects 13 millimeters into the hilt were it is followed by a barrel channel that runs to the muzzle ring.
The 519 millimeter long double edged straight blade terminates into a spear point. There are short narrow fullers on both sides of the blade.
Information from other sources
From the SABC Journal, Volume 49, Page 3, by Trevor Bovee; "The double-edged straight blade is 20.5 inches long (521 mm), 1.5 inches wide (38.1 mm), .25 inches thick (6.4 mm) and set extremely off center. Neither edge is very sharp and both run 14 inches (355 mm) from the symmetrical spear point. There is a very narrow V-shaped fuller centered on each side of the blade, beginning 11.75 inches (298 mm) from the point and running for 7.25 inches (184 mm). The forward 11.75 inches (298 mm) of the blade has a flat diamond cross section and the rear 1.25 inch section is an elongated ellipsoid. On the rear section is stamped horizontally an inverted AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS, on the obverse side. The cast brass hilt is 5 inches long (127 mm), has a flat pommel, fairly straight lines except for a slight curvature to fit the gripped hand, and is completely without any ornamentation. A 3.5 inch (89 mm) barrel channel has been machined into the obverse side, running from in front of the stud groove to the rear of the muzzle ring. This channel is quite wasp-waisted and has a number 6 stamped in it, as does the pommel. The stud groove is extra large, measuring 1.375 inches (35 mm) long inside and out of the hilt, .5 inch (13 mm) wide with two beveled edges and is .5 inch (13 mm) deep. The stud release spring is 4 inches (102 mm) long, with a disk thumb piece and is centered hinged. The muzzle ring is located on the obverse side, just like the Sappers & Miners, but without a locking clasp. The bore diameter is .887 inch (22.5 mm). The straight quillons are rounded for the most part, except for the front and rear faces, which are flat. The hilt is secured to the blade by peening of the tang on the flat pommel."
The attaching stud adapter ring is in three pieces, a barrel ring, the stud and a screw to hold everything together and tighten it to the rifle barrel. All three pieces are numbered.
Speculation and questions
Based on the logo style it was probably produced after the Death of N.P. Ames in 1847 and probably before the production the Model 1841 Type 1 bayonets in 1855.
Example Reference # 5009
Example Reference # 5009
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.7
Overall Length ---------------- 641
Hilt Length -------------------- 128
Blade Length ------------------ 513
Blade Width ------------------- 36.6
Blade Thickness --------------- 6.0
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 98.5
Guide Slot Length ------------- None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- ?
Lug Slot Width --------------- 13
Lug Width -------------------- 13
Lug Thickness ---------------- ?
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
This example is numbered 49 in front of the lug slot. There is no Ames logo.
David Hughes Collection
Example Reference # 1857
Example Reference # 1857
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.4
Overall Length ---------------- 647
Hilt Length -------------------- 128
Blade Length ------------------ 519
Blade Width ------------------- 37.0
Blade Thickness --------------- 6.6
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 114
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 100.8
Guide Slot Length ------------- None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- None
Lug Slot Width --------------- 13.0
Lug Width -------------------- 12.9
Lug Thickness ---------------- 7.5
Lug Depth -------------------- 11.3
This example has an Ames logo on the ricasso. It is numbered 6 or 9 on the pommel end and on the barrel channel in front of the lug slot. The leather blade washer appears to be original.
Note! This example is believed to be same bayonet that Trevor Bovee discribed in the SABC Journal, Volume 49.
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