Reference # 207
Sharps New Model 1859 Rifle Bayonet
US Navy Mitchell Contract
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Information about this bayonet
This bayonet was made by Ames Mfg and has a typical Ames hilt type #1. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 123 mm long and has 16 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 20.8 mm. There is no serial number on this bayonet. 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 lug slot is chamfered around the top edge and there is a 24.9 mm guide slot. The lower entrance of the lug slot has an unusual oval cut to the pommel end.
The left ricasso is stamped MADE BY / AMES MFG CO / CHICOPEE / MASS, in four lines within the image of a scroll. The right ricasso is dated 1861. The large yataghan blade is 554 mm long and has unstopped fullers.
Information from other sources
From the book SHARPS FIREARMS The Percussion Era 1848-1865, the US Navy ordered 1500 New Model Rifles from John Mitchell, a Sharps’ sales agent in Washington, D.C. on June 4th, 1861. On June 5th, 1861, the Navy ordered 1500 saber bayonets separately from Ames Sword Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts to be delivered to various Navy Yards. A total of 1311 were delivered by the end of 1861 and 189 were delivered in 1862 with that date stamped into the blade. The bayonet was a brass hilted saber bayonet made by Ames with a 21 mm muzzle ring diameter and a 1 inch (25.1 mm) guide slot. The blade was 22 inches (559 mm) long with unstopped fullers. The Ames 4 line scroll logo, Made by / Ames Mfg Co. / Chicopee / Mass., was stamped on the left ricasso and the right ricasso was dated 1861 or 1862. Being ordered separately, the bayonets were not matched to the rifles and usually are not serial numbered. The rifles in this contract are serial number in the range of 39436 to 42500.
Speculation and questions
Is the oval cut at the entrance of the lug slot found on all of the bayonets produced for this contract? It has been found on another unidentified bayonet but is certainly not the norm for Ames produced bayonets.
Example Reference # 1774
Example Reference # 1774
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.8
Overall Length ---------------- 677
Hilt Length -------------------- 123
Blade Length ------------------ 554
Blade Width ------------------- 31.3
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.5
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------- 24.9
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.2
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.2
Lug Width -------------------- 9.8
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.0
This bayonet has the Ames 4 line scroll logo stamped on the left ricasso and it is dated 1861 on the right ricasso. The brass hilt is unmarked and has the oval cut to the entrance of the lug slot. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is unmarked and most likely original to this bayonet.
Example Reference # 1819
Example Reference # 1819
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.8
Overall Length ---------------- 681
Hilt Length -------------------- 123
Blade Length ------------------ 558
Blade Width ------------------- 31.5
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.5
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 41
Guide Slot Length ------------- 24.9
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.2
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.2
Lug Width -------------------- 9.3
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.0
This bayonet has the Ames 4 line scroll logo stamped on the left ricasso and it is dated 1861 on the right ricasso. The brass hilt is unmarked and has the oval cut to the entrance of the lug slot. The frog and brass mounted black leather scabbard are unmarked and most likely original to the bayonet.
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