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Information about this bayonet
This bayonet is not maker marked but it is believed to be made by Ames. With the exception of the press stud and spring, it has an Ames hilt type #1. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 122 millimeters long and has 16 ribs. The muzzle ring is flush to the hilt flat and the inside diameter is 20.8 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 45 millimeters 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 12.6 mm guide slot. The serial number is usually found on the hilt flat and may be a 5 digit number or a C, followed by a five digit number.
The Lock-to-Muzzle Length is 102 millimeters.
The yataghan blade is ~508 mm long, 28.1 mm wide, 8.4 mm thick and has unstopped fullers. On the few examples observed there have been no markings on the blade. One example was numbered 140 on the butt of the pommel.
Information from other sources
From the book SHARPS FIREARMS The Percussion Era 1848-1865, Sharps’ New Model 1863 Rifles were first ordered by the US Ordnance Department in late 1864 and delivered thru June of 1865. Most were provided with socket bayonets but about 1000 were configured with “stud and guide”. This shortened guide allowed a socket bayonet to fit those rifles as well.
The unique feature of this bayonet is a ½ inch (12.2 mm) guide slot instead of the previously used 1 inch (24.4 mm) slot. Most of these bayonets were apparently made by Collins but some Ames examples may exist. Most of the bayonets were made from surplus blades previously dated 1861 and 1862. No examples of latter dated blades have been recorded.
Many of these rifles were made from previously serial numbered parts in store from earlier rifle production resulting in a wide range of serial numbers with some overlapping of earlier model ranges. When the serial numbers reached 100000 Sharps started listing the number as C,00000.
The bayonet was matched to the rifle with the serial number stamped on the flat of the hilt. Numbers in the range of 36989 – 40000 were sporadically used but numbers in the range 43500 – C,49539 are more commonly found.
Speculation and questions
It is believed that both
Example Reference # 1840
Example Reference # 1840
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.9
Overall Length ---------------- 630
Hilt Length -------------------- 122
Blade Length ------------------ 508
Blade Width ------------------- ?
Blade Thickness --------------- ?
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 101
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 45
Guide Slot Length ------------ 12.6
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.6
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.2
Lug Width -------------------- 9.1
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.2
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.2
This bayonet is serial numbered C, 48832 vertically on the hilt flat between the guide slot and the muzzle ring. The pommel end is stamped 140. The blade is unmarked but the ricassos have been scuffed, possible removing any pre-existing markings.
Example Reference # 1859
Example Reference # 1859
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 20.4**
Overall Length ---------------- 629
Hilt Length -------------------- 122
Blade Length ------------------ 507
Blade Width ------------------- 28.1
Blade Thickness --------------- 8.4
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 102
Press Stud Spring Length ---- 45
Guide Slot Length ------------ 12.6
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 12.8
Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.3
Lug Width -------------------- 9.2
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.2
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.2
** Estimated diameter muzzle ring out of round
This bayonet was originally serial numbered C, 48566 vertically on the hilt flat between the guide slot and the muzzle ring. Then the number was changed to C,48596 by defacing the first 6 and stamping 9 above it. There are no other markings on the hilt or blade. It is believed that the scabbard is not original to the bayonet.
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