Information about this bayonet
This bayonet has a typical Collins style long hilt. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 125 mm long and has 14 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 22.9 mm. 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 51 mm long spring are typical Collins 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 23.8 mm guide slot. Most examples are numbered vertically or horizontally on the hilt flat with 2 mm numbers ranging from 1 to 960. The yataghan blade is 540 mm long and has unstopped fullers. The blade is unmarked.
Information from other sources
George Moller, American Military Shoulder Arms, states on October 29, 1861, the State of Massachusetts sold the State of New Hampshire 961 unaltered Model 1841 Rifles. Sometime after this sale, the State of New Hampshire contracted with an unknown party to alter these rifles to accept a saber bayonet. It is likely the that the alteration work may have been accomplished by the Collins Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut or by the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. New Hampshire’s quartermaster general’s report of May 2, 1862, listed 960 Windsor Rifles with Saber Bayonet stored at the state arsenal at Portsmouth. The only modification to this rifle was the addition of a projecting bayonet stud with a .9375 inch (23.8 mm) guide key. This guide key is wider than most, being .210 to .213 inches (5.3 to 5.4 mm) wide. Either the guide key or the stud’s foot is stamped with the bayonet mating number. The highest such number known is 770.
Speculation and questions
This bayonet was most likely made by Collins. The details are Collins style in every way other than the missing rivet in the cross guard. The scabbard is similar to those found on the large Ames bayonets.
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.8
Overall Length ---------------- 667
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 542
Blade Width ------------------- 31.0
Blade Thickness --------------- 7.0
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------- 23.7
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.2
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.6
Lug Width -------------------- 9.4
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.4
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
The hilt flat on this example is horizontally numbered 78 between the guide slot and muzzle ring in 2 millimeter numbers. The bayonet is otherwise unmarked. The unmarked brass mounted scabbard appears to be original to the bayonet.
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.9
Overall Length ---------------- 663
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 538
Blade Width ------------------- 30.9
Blade Thickness --------------- 6.9
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------- 23.8
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.4
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.5
Lug Width -------------------- 9.4
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.4
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
The hilt flat on this example originally numbered 529 in small numbers which was lined out and the hilt flat was renumbered 427 in dot letters. The blade is unmarked. The unmarked brass mounted scabbard appears to be original to the bayonet.
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 23.1
Overall Length ---------------- 662*
Hilt Length -------------------- 124
Blade Length ------------------ 538*
Blade Width ------------------- 30.7
Blade Thickness --------------- 6.6
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------- 23.4
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.5
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.5
Lug Width -------------------- 9.3
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.4
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
*Tip of blade has been lightly re pointed causing a small loss in overall and blade lengths.
The hilt flat of this example is numbered 493 in small numbers. The blade is unmarked. The unmarked brass mounted scabbard appears to be original to the bayonet.
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.9
Overall Length ---------------- 660*
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 535*
Blade Width ------------------- 30.6
Blade Thickness --------------- 6.8
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- ?
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------- 23.6
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.5
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.4
Lug Width -------------------- 9.3
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.3
Lug Depth -------------------- ?
*Tip of blade has been lightly re pointed causing a small loss in overall and blade lengths.
The hilt flat of this example is numbered 503 in small numbers. The blade is unmarked.