HARPERS FERRY U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE SWORD BAYONET, 1857 TO MID-1860, WITH SCARCE PITTMAN MARKED SCABBARD

$650.00

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Item Code: 490-7052

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This brass hilt sword bayonet for the M1855 rifle is in very good condition and complete with scabbard. Like the rifles, these were made at Harpers Ferry and that being the only place manufacture, there was no need to mark them as such. These were made to accompany rifles as requested on “Orders for Supplies” starting in 1857. This one predates implementation of a May 1860 directive that a steel stop pin be added just forward of the finger release button of the spring, which crosses into the forward end of the bayonet lug mortise to take the lug’s impact when mounting the bayonet. The bayonet shows a small “JB” inspector’s mark stamped on the forward top flat of the grip near the guard (one of several such initials known,) and a small “16” near the mortice, likely a mating number matched to a rifle. The blade bears a “US” on the reverse (left) ricasso. This appears on only about half of these bayonets, sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right. Willyard speculates this designated arms destined for the regular army rather than arms to be supplied to state forces under the militia act.

The hilt has a nice, medium patina, with a few small dings on the edge of the pommel, but no large ones or age significant age stains. There is good definition to the ribs of the grip and quillon disks, and even some traces of blue on the locking spring and screw, mixed with some brown on the former. The blade shows as a muted silver gray with a dusting of scattered small darker gray spots, clustering a little bit near base and tip of the fuller. Some of these are shallow, salt-and-pepper pitting. The only deeper spots are near the edge at and just above the ricasso. The edge of the blade is good, showing only some shallow nicks about two-thirds of the way up the blade.

The scabbard mounts are in place and show as age toned brass with some age stains and some small traces of gilt peeking through from recesses around the pins, etc. The staple is present on the throat for attachment to a frog using a strap to pass though it and lock it in place. The small ball is in place on the tip of the drag. The leather is solid and has a tight seam. It shows wrinkling and crackling to the finish in areas, but not a lot of finish loss, though a couple of wear spots or shallow gouges are evident under old polish. Most unusual is a partially visible maker’s stamp on the reverse, just above and in line with the seam, near the throat. An “ITT” seems clear enough, which would indicate a stamp by New York accoutrement maker J.I. Pittman. Bazelon notes Pittman was listed in directories as dealing in military goods and equipments from 1845 to 1866. Bazelon notes he was associated in some fashion with the Dingee firm, who are well known makers of military leather gear.

This would be a great addition to a bayonet or edge weapons collection or an excellent companion to an 1855 rifle.  [sr][ph:L]

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