Reference # 211
Sharps New Model 1859 Rifle Bayonet
Open Market - Collins long hilt no serial #
Information about this bayonet
This bayonet was made by Collins and 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 26.0 mm guide slot. The only recorded example does not have a serial number.
The yataghan blade is 512 mm long and has unstopped fullers. The only recorded example is stamped COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in three straight lines on the left ricasso. The right ricasso is dated 1861.
Information from other sources
From the book SHARPS FIREARMS The Percussion Era 1848-1865, the US Ordnance Department purchased New Model 1859 Rifles on the open market from contractors, middlemen and patriotic groups in 1861, 1862 and 1863. Five purchases were made, 397 rifles from C.C. Bean, 668 rifles from Union Defense Committee of New York, 5 rifles from Tiffany & Co., 8 rifles from J.M. Chivington and 22 rifles from Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, for a total of 1100 rifles. The serial numbers for these rifles are in the range of 40000 to 45000. The saber bayonets were produced by both Ames Manufacturing Company and Collins Manufacturing Company. The bayonets made by Ames have 22 inch (559 mm) blades and those made by Collins have 20 inch (508 mm) blades. Both have unstopped fullers. Both have brass hilts with a 21 mm muzzle ring diameters and 1 inch
(25.4 mm) guide slots. It is believed that most were serial numbered on the hilt flat.
Speculation and questions
The identification of this bayonet as a Sharps Model 1859 is total speculation on my part. It clearly has the correct dimensions but without a Sharps serial number it could just as well be an unmarked Sharps & Hankins Navy Bayonet.
Example Reference # 1732
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter --------- 20.8
Overall Length ----------------- 637
Hilt Length -------------------- 125
Blade Length ------------------ 512
Blade Width ------------------- 27.5
Blade Thickness --------------- 7.4
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------- 26.0
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.2
Lug Slot Width --------------- 4.8
Lug Width -------------------- 9.7
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.4
This example is not serial numbered in any manner. The left ricasso is stamped COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in 3 vertical lines and the right ricasso is dated 1861. The brass mounted black leather scabbard appears to be original to the bayonet and it is unmarked.