Reference # 231

Unknown Collins Bayonet #3

Possible Remington Model 1862 Rifle

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 has a steel rivet through the blade.

The lug slot is chamfered around the top edge and there is a 12.3 mm guide slot. A large font serial number is frequently stamped on the hilt flat.

The yataghan blade is 510 mm long, 26.9 mm wide, 7.8 mm thick and has unstopped fullers. Some examples are marked COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in three straight lines on the left ricasso . The right ricasso is dated 1861. One example has been recorded without Collins' logo and blade date.

Almost identical bayonets

Information from other sources

Speculation and questions

Could we be looking at a difference between early production versus later production of bayonets for the Remington Model 1862 Rifle? The observed hilt numbers have been small, three digits or less. Somewhere around 10,000 of the rifles were produced. Did Collins produce the first few hundred bayonets then pass production to Remington? Maybe Remington just sent inspectors to Collins' factory to approve the production process?

Example Reference # 1787

Note! All measurements are in millimeters

Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.9

Overall Length ---------------- 635

Hilt Length -------------------- 125

Blade Length ------------------ 510

Blade Width ------------------- 26.9

Blade Thickness --------------- 7.8

Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 102

Press Stud Spring Length ---- 51

Guide Slot Length ------------ 12.3

Lug to Stop Length ----------- 13.2

Lug Slot Width --------------- 5.0

Lug Width -------------------- 8.9

Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.0

Lug Depth -------------------- 6.1

This bayonet is horizontally numbered 418 on the hilt flat in large 3 mm numbers. The Collins three line logo is stamped on the left ricasso and the right ricasso is dated 1861. The brass mounted black leather scabbard is unmarked and may be original to the bayonet. The muzzle ring has been reamed out but was this an original fitting alteration or a more modern alteration?