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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 20.8 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 has a steel rivet through the blade.
The lug slot is chamfered around the top edge and there is a 25.6 mm guide slot. Most examples are stamped vertically with a small serial number on the hilt flat.
The yataghan blade is 512 mm long, 27.6 mm wide, 7.6 mm thick and has unstopped fullers. Examples are found marked on the left ricasso, COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in three straight lines and COLLINS & CO (arc) / HARTFORD / CONN. The right ricasso is usually dated 1861 or 1862.
Information from other sources
Rollin Davis, US Sword Bayonets 1847 to 1865, states that the Navy ordered 500 Sharps & Hankins Rifles with sword bayonets July 29, 1861 and the order was completed in July 1862. (Other sources claim that a second contract was issued and that serial numbers in the 700's exist.)
Davis also claims that the brass hilted sword bayonets were made by Collins Co. of Harford, Connecticut. The overall length is 25 inches (635 mm), the blade length is 20 1/4 inches (514 mm) and the blade width is 1 1/16 inches (27 mm) at the hilt. Collins & Co. in an arc with Hartford / Conn. below in two horizontal lines is stamped on the left ricasso and the right ricasso is dated 1861. The rifles serial numbers are stamped on the flat of the hilt and it has a 1 inch (25.4 mm) guide slot.
Speculation and questions
The identification of this bayonet is questionable and it is primarily based on the opinions of other knowledgeable collectors.
Example Reference # 1374
Example Reference # 1374
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.8
Overall Length ---------------- 637
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 512
Blade Width ------------------- 27.6
Blade Thickness --------------- 7.6
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 102
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------ 25.6
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.9
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.2
Lug Width -------------------- 9.1
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.1
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.2
This example has the serial number 189 stamped on the hilt flat in a small 1.5 mm font. The left ricasso is marked COLLINS & CO (arc) / HARTFORD / CONN. The right ricasso is dated 1861. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is probably original to the bayonet and it is unmarked.
Example Reference # 1807
Example Reference # 1807
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.8
Overall Length ---------------- 635
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 510
Blade Width ------------------- 27.6
Blade Thickness --------------- 7.2
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 102
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------ 25.0
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.8
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.3
Lug Width -------------------- 9.2
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.2
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.3
This example has the serial number 205 stamped on the hilt flat in a small 1.5 mm font. The left ricasso is marked COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN. The right ricasso is dated 1861.
Example Reference # 1806
Example Reference # 1806
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.8
Overall Length ---------------- 630
Hilt Length -------------------- 124
Blade Length ------------------ 506
Blade Width ------------------- 27.6
Blade Thickness --------------- 7.6
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 102
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------ 23.0
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.8
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.9
Lug Width -------------------- 9.1
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.1
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.3
This example has the serial number 366 stamped on the hilt flat in a 3 mm font. The large font size of this serial number is a bit unusual. The left ricasso is marked COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in three straight lines. The right ricasso is dated 1861. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is probably original to the bayonet and it is unmarked.
Example Reference # 1853
Example Reference # 1853
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.7
Overall Length ---------------- 640
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 515
Blade Width ------------------- 27.9
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.1
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 102
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------ 23.1
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.1
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.0
Lug Width -------------------- 9.2
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.6
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.4
This example has the serial number 589 stamped on the hilt flat in a 2 mm font. The left ricasso is marked COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in three straight lines. The right ricasso is dated 1861.
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