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Information about this bayonet
This Type 2 variation is identical to the Type 1 except for the steel stop at the head of the stud mortise.
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 22.4 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 inside the lug slot. Some have rack or mating numbers stamped on the hilt flat or cross guard.
The steel stop pin is inserted laterally through the hilt at the head end of the lug slot and it can only be seen from the left side of the grip and inside of the lug slot.
The edge of the steel stop pin can be seen in the following picture just before the end of the lug slot.
All observed examples of this type have been stamped US on the left ricasso.
The curved blade is 552 mm long and has unstopped fullers.
Information from other sources
Rollin Davis, US Sword Bayonets 1847-1865, claims that 7,317 rifles and 9,721 sword bayonets were produced at Harper’s Ferry between 1857 and 1860. The 21.75 inch (552 mm) curved blades are stamped U.S. on the reverse near the cross guard and bear no other markings. The overall length is 26.5 inches (673 mm), with a blade width of 1.125 inches (28.6) at the hilt.
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George Moller, American Military Shoulder Arms, claims 7,317 rifles were produced by Harper’s Ferry with a sword bayonet stud that measures .5 inches (12.7 mm) by .3125 inches (7.9 mm).
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John Willyard, U.S. Model 1855 Series of Small Arms, claims that 9,111 rifles were made at Harper’s Ferry and that the number of bayonets produced closely matched the number of rifles. The dimensions of the bayonet are listed as; overall length of 26.47 inches (672 mm), hilt length of 4.78 inches (121 mm), blade length of 21.69 inches (551 mm), blade width of 1.10 inches (27.9 mm), blade thickness of .80 inches (20.3 mm) and bore diameter at muzzle of .88 inches (22.4). Slightly less than half of the bayonets are marked US on the ricasso. Willyard believes that the US on the sword bayonet indicates that the bayonet was inspected and found acceptable for use on arms issued to Federal troops. Those bayonets without the US were issued to State Militias. Sub inspection marks such as JB, L, P, SP or 1 can be found on the hilt flat behind the muzzle ring. Sometimes inspection marks are found in the lug slot or on the top flat of the press stud. Willyard claims that possibly 14 rifles produced from August 1856 to February 1857 were made with an alignment key before the deletion of the key was ordered in May 1857.
In May 1860, Harper’s Ferry was ordered to insert a steel stop at the head of the stud mortise in the sword bayonet handle. A steel cross pin was inserted laterally through the hilt at the head end of the stud mortise. This pin can only be seen from the left side of the grip. Due to the lateness of this alteration, bayonets with this steel pin are rarely encountered.
Speculation and questions
Harpers Ferry had almost a year from the time they were ordered to add the steel stop in May 1860 to the time they were captured by the Confederates in April 1861 to produce Model 1855 bayonets with steel stops. The number of examples seen today makes it appear that very few were produced.
Example Reference # 1847
Example Reference # 1847
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 23.0
Overall Length ---------------- 673
Hilt Length -------------------- 122
Blade Length ------------------ 551
Blade Width ------------------- 28.2
Blade Thickness --------------- 9.3
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 98
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 40
Guide Slot Length ------------ None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.5
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.8
Lug Width -------------------- 8.7
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.4
Lug Depth -------------------- 7.4
This example is one of the rare few that had a steel stop inserted at the head of the mortise. It can be clearly seen on the left side of the grip. Note that the muzzle ring diameter of this example at 23.0 mm is a little larger than the normal 22.4 mm. The hilt flat is stamped 77 and 21 in front of the lug slot and has an inspector mark of SP immediately behind the muzzle ring. The left ricasso is stamped US. The leather scabbard found with this bayonet is also an unknown rarity.
Example Reference # 1846
Example Reference # 1846
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.3
Overall Length ---------------- 665**
Hilt Length -------------------- 121**
Blade Length ------------------ 544**
Blade Width ------------------- 28.5
Blade Thickness --------------- 9.3
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 98
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 40
Guide Slot Length ------------ None
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.5
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.0
Lug Width -------------------- Damaged
Lug Thickness ---------------- Damaged
Lug Depth -------------------- 7.4
** Lengths are shortened due to pommel and blade tip damage.
This example is one of the rare few that had a steel stop inserted at the head of the mortise. It can be clearly seen on the left side of the grip. The left ricasso is stamped US. The hilt flat has an inspector mark of SP immediately behind the muzzle ring. There are no other markings.
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