Embedded Files
Information about this bayonet
This bayonet has a typical Collins short hilt. The smooth ribbed brass hilt is 118 mm long and has 15 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. There is no steel rivet in the center of the guard.
The lug slot is chamfered on both sides around the top edge and there is a 32.7 mm long and 7.4 mm wide guide slot. The edge walls of the lug and guild slots are beveled inward being slightly wider at the bottom than at the top. The only example recorded is stamped with the two letters F and M vertically on the hilt flat between the muzzle ring and guide slot in a 2 mm font.
The yataghan blade is ~510 mm long and has unstopped fullers. The only example recorded is marked COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN in three straight lines on the left ricasso and the right ricasso is dated 1861.
The scabbard is brass mounted black leather. The brass throat piece is unusually scalloped inwardly and has a single brass rivet at the apex of the scallop on both sides. There is also a brass rivet in the edges on both sides.
Information from other sources
Richard A. Berglund, The S.A.B.C. Journal Volume 54 Winter 2005, shows some details of a Musician’s Bayonet that was made for the Type II variation of the Model 1841 Rifle. Records indicate that 40 were made in 1855 and they also had an enlarged guide slot with beveled side walls. A special made slide, designed to lock into the lug and guide slots, covered the hilt flat from pommel to muzzle ring.
Albert N, Hardin, The American Bayonet 1776 – 1964, on page 141, item # 120, lists the details of the associated bayonet scabbard as follows. Brass mounted brown leather with an overall length of 20.875 inches. Both the throat and tip pieces are scalloped inwardly and held to the leather with a single rivet on each edge and at the scalloped flare.
Speculation and questions
This bayonet was made for a rifle with an unusually large bayonet stud which narrows the field of period US rifles to the Colt Alteration of the Model 1841 Rifle. The standard bayonet for the Colt Alteration is entirely different in size and shape but both were made by Collins & Co. Plus, the lug slot and muzzle ring diameters are near to a perfect match. It is very possible that this bayonet is a musician’s bayonet for a different rifle, without documentation or an existing slide, it is hard to prove.
The unusual scabbard appears to be original to the bayonet and may be as rare as the bayonet. Could it be a special scabbard made for a small group of musician bayonets? The only known information about the scabbard is found with Hardin’s # 120.
Example Reference # 1838
Example Reference # 1838
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Note! All measurements are in millimeters
Muzzle Ring Diameter -------- 22.9
Overall Length ---------------- 618*
Hilt Length -------------------- 118
Blade Length ------------------ 500*
Blade Width ------------------- 27.3
Blade Thickness --------------- 7.6
Lock to Muzzle Length ------- 103
Press Stud Spring Length ----- 51
Guide Slot Length ------------- 32.7
Lug to Stop Length ----------- 14.5
Lug Slot Width --------------- 7.4
Lug Width -------------------- 11.4
Lug Thickness ---------------- 2.8
Lug Depth -------------------- 6.7
*Blade point has been rounded resulting in a loss in 5 to 10 mm loss in length.
The hilt flat is stamped with the two letters F and M vertically on the hilt flat between the muzzle ring and guide slot in a 2 mm font. 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 was found with this bayonet and may be original.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse