Production of the new 1812 pattern infantry musket only began in 1814, too late for use in the War of 1812, but from 1814 to 1816, about 30,000 were made at Springfield in three different patterns, many of which were placed in the hands of regular troops and part of the early westward expansion of the U.S. The 1812 bayonet differed from its predecessors in having a more robust construction and having a bridge over the mortise. This one is in good condition with good point and just some roughness along the underside of the blade edges and on the socket, which shows light pitting overall, indicating it was likely cleaned fifty or sixty years ago. The top flat of the blade shows some scattered shallow pitting as well, but has a very crisp blade stamp: “C” followed closely by “US.” The “C” is likely a bayonet inspector. A number of similar stamps have been observed on this pattern and the later 1816s, none of which can conclusively be tied to a state.  [SR]

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