Information about this bayonet
This bayonet was made by Ames Manufacturing and it has a typical Ames hilt type #1. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 123 millimeters in length and has 16 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 22.3 millimeters. There is a forward swept round finial on the bottom of the guard and no finial on top of the muzzle ring. The press stud and 41 mm long spring are typical Ames construction. The center of the cross guard does not have a steel rivet through the blade.
The lug slot is chamfered around the top edge and there is a 23 millimeter guide slot. A five digit serial # is stamped behind the muzzle ring on the hilt flat. Some examples have a steel post in the brass hilt at the end of the guide slot and some do not.
Some examples are dated 1855 or 1856 on the right ricasso while some examples are not dated.
Shawn Gibson Collection
Some examples are marked "AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS" on the left ricasso while other examples are not maker marked.
The yataghan blade is 558 mm long and has unstopped fullers.
Information from other sources
From the book SHARPS FIREARMS The Percussion Era 1848-1865, the US Navy order 150 Sharps Model 1855 Rifles with 28 ¼ inch barrels fitted with a bayonet stud & guide on March 14, 1856. On September 9, 1856 the Navy ordered another 100 rifles with bayonet for a total of 250. Example serial numbers include 20234, 20404, 20430, 20444, 20446 and 24344.
The saber bayonets were made by Ames Manufacturing Company and they are believed to be the same construction as in the Model 1853. 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 1856 but some were not dated. 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 to have this feature.
Speculation and questions
It is believed 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. So far, only those bayonets with the steel post have been dated and only those without a steel post are maker marked. Only a few examples have been seen and a M1855 rifle has not been examined, so the research continues.
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.4
Overall Length ---------------- 678
Hilt Length -------------------- 122
Blade Length ------------------ 557
Blade Width ------------------- ?
Blade Thickness --------------- ?
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ---- ?
Guide Slot Length ------------ ?
Lug to Stop Length ----------- ?
Lug Slot Width --------------- ?
Lug Width -------------------- ?
Lug Thickness ---------------- ?
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
This bayonet is dated 1856 on the right ricasso and the hilt flat is serial numbered 20447. There is a steel stop post in the brass hilt at the end of the guide slot.
Shawn Gibson Collection
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.2
Overall Length ---------------- 681
Hilt Length -------------------- 123
Blade Length ------------------ 558
Blade Width ------------------- 32.0
Blade Thickness --------------- 9.2
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 100
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------ 25.0
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.9
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.7
Lug Width -------------------- 8.7
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.2
Lug Depth -------------------- 7.6
This bayonet is stamped "AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS" on the left ricasso and it is not dated. The hilt flat is serial numbered 23326. There is no steel stop post in the brass hilt at the end of the guide slot.
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.3
Overall Length ---------------- 675
Hilt Length -------------------- 122
Blade Length ------------------ 553
Blade Width ------------------- 32.0
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.9
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 99
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------ 23.6
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.7
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.7
Lug Width -------------------- 8.9
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.2
Lug Depth -------------------- 7.6
This bayonet is not maker marked or dated. The hilt flat is serial numbered 20884. There is a steel stop post in the brass hilt at the end of the guide slot.