Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle/Carbine

At least 5000 to 6000 Model 1855 Colt Revolving Rifles and Carbines were produced for the US Government from 1857 to 1864 in multiple caliber and barrel length variations. Others may have been produced for State or volunteer militia. The actual number produced is a bit difficult to ascertain due to conflicting sources of information. By a large percentage, most were designed to use a socket bayonet or no bayonet. The actual number produced to accept a sword bayonet, such as the rifle pictured above, is believed to be very small in number.

Library of Congress

A picture of an unknown Union soldier holding the Model 1855 Colt Revolving Rifle.

Bayonet Variations

Many non-US sword bayonets with long guide bar slots have been labeled as Colt Revolving Rifle bayonets. Some of these sources, such as Robert Q. Sutherland, The Book of Colt Firearms and Albert N. Hardin, The American Bayonet 1776-1964, are hard to refute. But, I believe that all but maybe a few early trials examples were US made.

Rollin Davis, US Sword Bayonets 1847 to 1865, states, "The correct bayonet for these weapons (Colt Revolving Rifles) was first identified in the personal arms collection of Colonel Colt located at the Wadsworth Antheum, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1964. Colt Revolving rifle #4775 with matching numbered sword Bayonet #4775 is in this collection." This bayonet is believed to be a Type III bayonet as listed below.

Davis identifies three variations of the Colt Revolving Rifle bayonet and a fourth has now been discovered. All are US made and most have the Colt serial number stamped on the backside of the lower guard. One Type II example has been observed serial numbered on the hilt flat beside the guide bar slot.

The actual number of sword bayonets produced is currently unknown but clearly surviving examples of either Type listed below are rarely seen in any condition.

Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle Bayonet - Type I

This is an Ames made bayonet that is stamped US / ADK / 1859 on the right ricasso. The 572 mm yataghan blade with stopped fullers is similar to the Model 1841 Type II bayonet blades. This is Davis' third variation.

Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle Bayonet - Type II

This is an Ames made bayonet that is not maker marked but the right ricasso is dated 1861. It has a ~550 mm yataghan blade that is similar to the large blades Ames made for the Sharps Rifle. This is a newly discovered variation not listed by Davis.

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Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle Bayonet - Type III

This is a Collins made bayonet with the left ricasso marked COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN and the right ricasso is dated 1861. This is Davis' second variation.

Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle Bayonet - Type IV

This bayonet is not maker marked or dated and it is uncertain as to who actually made it. It has a 508 mm yataghan blade. The hilt is similar to the Type II except the disc finial is flush with the sides of the guard. This is Davis' first variation.

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