No examples currently recorded but the book SHARPS FIREARMS The Percussion Era 1848-1865 has pictures of the rifle and bayonet. See Sharps Model 1855 for more details.

From the book SHARPS FIREARMS The Percussion Era 1848-1865, at least 20 Model 1853 Carbines with 21 ½ inch long barrels fitted with a bayonet stud & guide were made by Robbins & Lawrence and delivered to Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company on October 19, 1855. 19 of these carbines were serial numbered; 17664, 17665, 17667, 17668, 17685, 17693, 17695, 17716, 17718, 17719, 17721, 17722, 17723,

17739, 17757, 17966, 17968, 17969 and 18519. Apparently some if not all were purchased for the Kansas Abolitionist. There may have been more but there are no surviving records or examples.

At least 222 Model 1853 Rifles with 24 and 27 inch barrels fitted with a bayonet stud & guide were made by Robbins & Lawrence and delivered to Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company between September 28, 1854 and mid 1856. The rifle serial numbers are found mainly in the 15200 to 19000+ range with others in the 20000+ range.

The saber bayonets for both carbine and rifle were made by Ames Manufacturing Company and they are believed to be the same construction. The overall length is 27 inches (686 mm). The blade is 22 inches (559 mm) long, 1 ¼ inches (31.8 mm) wide and the fullers are unstopped. Most of the blades are dated 1855. The brass hilt has a 1 inch (25.4 mm) guide slot and a 21 mm muzzle ring diameter. (It is believed that the muzzle ring diameter listed here is incorrect.) The flat of the hilt was stamped with the serial number of the matching carbine or rifle.

The early Ames bayonets have a steel post in the brass hilt at the end of the guide slot, apparently to protect the brass from the steel guide bar. It is not certain when Ames started this practice or when it was terminated but 1855 and 1856 dated bayonets appear have this feature.

It is my believe that the Sharps Model 1853 and Model 1855 bayonets are identical in construction. A few that are dated 1855 on the ricasso can be labeled as a M1853 because they were actually produced before production of the Model 1855 began. Also, some examples with serial #s in the 15000 to 19000 range can also be labeled as a M1853 for the same reason. Production of the two models overlapped from 1856 to 1859 and serial #s can no longer be used to differentiate the model without matching the bayonet serial # to the rifle.

It appears that the frequently quoted statement that all Sharps bayonets have 21 mm muzzle ring diameters is incorrect. While this may be true for the Model 1859 and M1863 bayonets, all Model 1853 and Model 1855 rifles and bayonets examined so far have been in the 22 to 22.4 mm range. Only a few examples have been examined and a actual M1855 rifle has not been examined, so the research continues.