U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE SWORD BAYONET AND SCABBARD 1857 TO MID-1860

$675.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-6889

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This brass hilt sword bayonet for the M1855 rifle is in very good condition and is complete with scabbard. As is correct, the blade is unmarked- a few were stamped US, but the majority were not: like the M1855 rifles, they were only being made at Harpers Ferry and there was no doubt about the maker. It does, however, also as is correct show a small inspector stamp on the top grip flat: a small “O,” one of several known inspector marks for these bayonets.

As also is correct, the bayonet is undated, though we can say it was made sometime between the start of production in 1857 in conjunction with the rifles as requested on “Orders for Supplies,” and before May 1860 when a directive ordered that a steel stop pin be added just forward of the finger release button of the spring. This would cross into the forward end of the mortise for the bayonet lug to take its impact when mounting the bayonet.

The brass hilt has a mellow, medium patina, with smooth, unmarred flat top of the grip and well defined ribs and quillon disks. The spring shows some blue. The release button shows some crustiness. The grips show some shallow dings, mostly on the left, likely from carriage next to the soldier’s body when sheathed. The blade has a good edge and point, shows as muted silver gray with darker gray age spotting and some thin, crusty brown, but with no nicks or chips. The scabbard is very good, with throat and drag in place, no holes or breaks, and a good seam on the reverse. The mounts show some shallow dings from use and the scabbard has a good deep brown finish overall, but with some finish loss at wear spots on the edges and rubs on the flats showing light brown. There is a little wrinkling to the finish in places, but no creases or unattractive flaking. As is always the case with a leather scabbard, it should be supported or held tip down when drawing the blade to avoid a severe bend or break.

This is a necessary companion piece to a M1855 Rifle, or could be a great addition to a bayonet or edge weapons collection. The bar on the throat is in place, so it could even be fitted on a regulation M1855 rifleman’s belt, though Civil War bayonet frogs were also used for them when soldiers used the standard infantry belt. The 1855 series of arms is an interesting stage of development in US military weapons and a collecting field of its own that encompasses both the weapons and the gear meant to support them.  [sr][ph:L]

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