This is a good example of the regular Union army infantry bayonet and scabbard of the Civil War. The bayonet is the pattern adopted in 1855 for use on the new rifle-musket – that is: a rifle of musket length. The bayonet is complete, full length, with good edge and point, no nicks, bends or breaks, with the rotating locking ring in place that secures it around the base of the front sight, and clearly marked “US” at the base of the blade, which is the regulation form- three sided, with top flute and has the tapering shoulders at the neck that are characteristic of this pattern. The metal is smooth, and a mix of thin brown on the socket from oxidation by exposure to the air and more of a gray and dull silver mixed with some darker gray age spots on the blade, which was concealed by the scabbard for a hundred and sixty years or so.

The scabbard is the regulation pattern made of black leather with brass tip. The belt loop is secured by rivets to a collar around the throat of the scabbard which is secured by sewing and by a single rivet to the scabbard body. The black finish shows age crackling some  rubbing from use in a few places on the scabbard body and the belt loop shows crazing from age and flexing, but the leather is solid. The belt loop shows a faint “WATERTOWN ARSENAL” stamp. This usually has a date stamped underneath it, that we cannot make out here, but the use of an eight rivet to secure the collar to the scabbard points to a later war date. The copper rivets show some verdigris from age, which can be cleaned off, but we have left it untouched.  [sr][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!