This is a scarce example of the Harpers Ferry made saber bayonet for the Mississippi Rifle. Starting in 1854, the U.S. armory at Harpers Ferry began experimenting in ways to bring M1841 “Mississippi” rifles up to par with the new 1855 series of arms, primarily in trying different long range rear sights and adapting them for use with a bayonet. This is the scarce saber bayonet used on their Type IA, IIA, and IIB alterations (Moller) of the M1841. It is marked on the obverse ricasso “PB/P,” which is probably the inspection/proof mark of Harpers Ferry master armorer Philip Burkart, and has the pronounced Yataghan-style blade giving the tip a slightly up-turned appearance as is seen on their better-known saber bayonets made for the 1855 rifle.

This is mortised on the top flat of the grip for a bayonet stud and guide key, marking the armory’s second attempt to use a saber bayonet, the first being the Snell pattern, using a folding ring at the pommel and a thumbscrew at the muzzle ring on the crossguard. This pattern eliminated the folding ring and thumbscrew, using a stud with extending narrow guide key mounted on the right side of the rifle muzzle to engage the mortise on the bayonet handle, with the bayonet locking in place using a spring with release button. Production of this pattern overlapped with the last of the Snells. An April 27, 1855, letter from Chief of Ordnance Craig indicates 1,128 Snell patterns had been finished, leaving 500 to be completed, at the same time 300 of the new pattern had been finished, with 1,200 yet to go. This new bayonet was in turn replaced soon after by a yet simpler version eliminating the guide key and shortened the mortise.

The brass hilt has an undisturbed, aged patina, and shows some dings and age stains, but the locking spring and button are in place in the pommel. The muzzle ring and guard show the standard use of disk finials. The blade is smooth metal, silver gray in tone with some thin gray areas, but no pitting and just two or three small edge nicks.

The scabbard is complete, has good color, and shows creases, but is in good condition with the leather nowhere near breaking. There is some crustiness to the surface, but no large areas of finish loss. The brass mounts have an untouched patina. The drag shows some dents from use, but the ball finial is in place and like the throat, it is secure. The throat has its fastening bar in place and is still in the pocket of a belt frog. These were integral parts of the 1855 rifleman’s belt or separate and fitted with a belt loop. The slight arc on the top edge and point at the bottom of the sleeve suggests a rifleman’s belt. In both cases a small strap passing through under the bar as it protrudes through a slot would lock it in place. The strap and fastening buckle are gone, but the stitching holes are visible.

This would display well with one of the early Mississippi alterations and with a production run of only 1,500 would likely fill a gap in a bayonet collection. It is also a good example of armory experimentation in an effort to improve the M1841 both for fighting at long range and very close up.  [SR] [ph:L]

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