This is a good example of the brass-hilted sword/saber bayonet for the Remington Model 1862 US Contract Rifle in Moller’s terminology or the “Model 1863 Contract Rifle” in Flayderman’s, and best known among collectors as the “Remington Zouave,” drawing a parallel between colorful zouave uniforms and the color case-hardened locks, blued barrels and brass trim of the guns, which blended elements of the Model 1841 and 1855 rifle.

The blade is full length, with good edge and point, showing some light rubs, but no nicks to the edge, and is unmarked, as is correct. The blade is smooth metal, showing a muted silver gray mixed with some darker gray spots and some thin brown spots, more on the left than the right. The brass hilt has a mellow, untouched patina, with some thin brown age spots and expected small handling dings. The locking spring and button are in place. The screw and button show some faded blue; the side of the spring is rubbed and shows some brown. There is a small “C” assembly mark on one side of the guard and an “L” on the other, with the grip flat showing the expected “BH” inspector stamp near the muzzle ring.

The scabbard is black leather, solid, with good seam on the reverse and the leather showing some losses to the finish, but not polished or treated. The brass throat with round button for the bayonet frog is in place and has good color. The drag is very slightly loose and a replacement from another weapon that will do until a correct one turns up.

Remington produced the rifle from 1863 to 1864, delivering 10,001 to the government (the odd number includes one sample gun) and this would go great with one of those rifles and tolerances were apparently close enough they were not given mating numbers to specific guns. Despite various theories, period issue or use is undocumented, but they merit a place in every Civil War firearms collection, with their bayonets also earning a place in that collecting field as well.  [sr][ph:L]

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