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Information about this bayonet
This Ames made bayonet has a smooth ribbed brass hilt that is 123 mm long and has 16 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 22.7 mm. There is a forward swept heavy cylindrical finial on top of the muzzle ring. The lower guard is forward swept terminating in a disk finial. The 41 mm press stud spring is unusual in that three of the edge corners are squared and one is rounded. The press stud assembly is typical Ames construction. There is a steel rivet through the center of the guard and tang.
The lug slot is chamfered on both sides leaving the stop end squared with a 26.3 mm guide slot that is rounded at the end. The hilt flat is stamped with the initials of the Ordnance Officer accepting the bayonet for the US government in script R.H.K.W. (Robert Henry Kirkwood Whiteley, Chief of Contract Inspection). The initials JH of the Armory Sub Inspector are stamped also.
The left ricasso is normally stamped with the logo, AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS.
Some examples are dated 1855 on the left ricasso under the Ames logo.
The right ricasso is normally stamped US / JH.
Some examples are dated 1855 on the right ricasso under the US/JH instead of the left ricasso. Finally, some examples are not dated anywhere.
Courtesy of J&J Military Antiques
The yataghan blade is 571 mm long, has stopped fullers and a 10.5 mm wide ricasso.
The correct scabbard for this bayonet is currently believed to be the Type 2B.
Information from other sources
Phil Leveque, The S.A.B.C. Journal, Volume 60, Summer 2007, claims as Eli Whitney was winding up his final production of the regulation Model 1841 Rifle, the US Ordnance Department instructed Whitney to alter the final 500 rifles to conform to the Model 1841 Rifles currently being altered at Harper’s Ferry for long range firing and to accept the stud and guide (Type II) sword bayonet. This was later increased by 100 rifles to a total of 600 to allow Whitney to use up existing parts. Ames Manufacturing was contracted in May 2, 1855, to produce 500 bayonets made in the same dimensions as the Harper’s Ferry bayonet in handle and blade to be interchangeable with the Harper’s Ferry bayonet and Alleghany Arsenal scabbards. In November 17, 1855, 100 Harper’s Ferry bayonets were sent to Whitney to complete the 600 rifles.
Speculation and questions
Example Reference # 1799
Example Reference # 1799
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.7
Overall Length ---------------- 694
Hilt Length -------------------- 123
Blade Length ------------------ 571
Blade Width ------------------- 30.8
Blade Thickness --------------- 9.4
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 98
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------- 26.3
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.1
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.0
Lug Width -------------------- 9.0
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.5
Lug Depth -------------------- 8.2
This bayonet is marked AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS in three lines on the left ricasso. The right ricasso is marked US / JH in two lines. There is no trace of a date. The quillon finial is marked 23 on right side. The hilt flat is marked R.H.K.W. / JH. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is unmarked.
Example Reference # 1864
Example Reference # 1864
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.7
Overall Length ---------------- 691 **
Hilt Length -------------------- 122
Blade Length ------------------ 569
Blade Width ------------------- 31.2
Blade Thickness --------------- 9.5
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 99
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------- 26.5
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.4
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.7
Lug Width -------------------- 9.0
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.7
Lug Depth -------------------- 7.6
** Blade point has been shortened by a few millimeters by sharpening.
This bayonet is marked AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS / 1855 in four lines on the left ricasso. The right ricasso is marked US / JH in two lines. The hilt flat is marked R.H.K.W. / JH. The press stud, spring and screw are modern replacements. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is unmarked.
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