There was no official nomenclature for 19th Century regulation U.S. fencing bayonets. In 1964, Hardin introduced the designation “Type I” in his book, The American Bayonet.

The original M1816 bayonet blade was mostly cut away, then modified into a box receptacle that accepted a flexible whalebone (baleen) blade with a leather-covered India rubber or cork ball at the end. Baleen is taken from the whale’s mouth, so is not actually bone. Its flexibility, pliability, and strength made it behave much like modern plastics.

In his book, U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets: The Later Years, Peter Schmidt documented that Watervliet Arsenal in New York produced 1,500 Type I fencing bayonets in 1852 and 1853. 1852–53 Ordnance Dept. reports also show that Washington Arsenal (site of present-day Ft. Lesley J. McNair) reported fabrication of 50 fencing bayonets.

This example still has much of its original browned finish and the original thumbscrew for securing the blade. Period whalebone blades are rarely encountered today. This example bears the socket marking “w” over “a” and “52.”

Production of a regulation fencing bayonet coincided with the 1852 publication of Captain (later, Maj. Gen.) George B. McClellan's Manual of Bayonet Exercise: Prepared for the Use of the Army of the United States. McClellan was not the author, but translated a French book on bayonet training for use by the U.S. Army.

This example of McClellan's manual was printed in 1862 and used to train African-American soldiers of the 41st USCT. After marching 30 miles in 26 1/2 hours, these soldiers stopped the retreat of Lee's Army at Appomattox Courthouse shortly after 7 a.m. on the morning of April 9, 1865. Less than one hour afterwards, Lee began his historic ride to find General Grant.

Read more about U.S. Fencing Bayonets in my article: Regulation U.S. Fencing Bayonets 1852–1915.

Socket (bridge): "L 13"

The standard socket bayonet used by union forces during the U.S. Civil War, 1.5 million were produced by Springfield Armory and private contractors 1857–1865. The socket length is 3.00 in. (76 mm.).

This example was made prior to 1864, when the locking ring mortise was lengthened by 2/10 in. (5 mm.) to allow the locking ring to travel past center for increased securing force. Collins & Company had previously began setting the stop pin above center to serve the same purpose (see Sharps New Model bayonet below). Springfield Armory opted for the locking ring modification instead in November 1863, as the improved locking ring could also be retrofitted to earlier bayonets.

The M1840 was the last U.S. military flintlock musket. The M1842 was the first U.S. military percussion musket and the last U.S. infantry musket to be made as a smoothbore.

A clone of the M1835 socket bayonet, made after M1835 production had ceased at the national armories in Springfield, Illinois, and Harpers Ferry, Virginia. This example is identical to the M1835 bayonets made from 1839–1855, except for its tapered blade shoulders. Period M1835 bayonets had scalloped blade shoulders, like the M1816 bayonet. Tapered blade shoulders were not introduced until after 1855. The socket length is 2.625 in. (67 mm.).

Perhaps this bayonet was made 1856–59 when existing M1840 and M1842 muskets were rifled at the national armories; or early in the Civil War, when the converted M1840 and M1842 Rifled-Muskets were pressed into service.

The M1847 Artillery, Cavalry, and Sapper's & Miner's Musketoons were among the last smoothbore long arms produced for the U.S. military. 3,359 M1847 Artillery Musketoons were produced 1848-59 without the ability to mount a bayonet. In 1858-59, an unknown quantity of M1847 Cavalry Musketoons were altered by Springfield Armory for use as Artillery Musketoons. The conversion also included installation of a bayonet stud to mount a socket bayonet.

M1835/42 bayonets were shortened to 15-15 1/2 in. blade length for use with the Artillery Musketoon conversions. Examples are found with both the earlier scalloped blade shoulders and the mid-1850s tapered blade shoulders (like this example). A characteristic of these socket bayonets is the front edge of the socket being rolled (i.e., rounded over), the purpose of which is not known.

The socket length is 2.625 in. (67 mm.).

Patterned after the M1855 socket bayonet, the J. D. Greene socket differs in having a basal locking ring and straight mortise. The socket length is 3.00 in. (76 mm.). J. D. Greene bayonets had a blued finish, where the M1855 and most other Civil War socket bayonets were finished in the white. This example retains much of the original blue finish on the blade.

Approximately 4,000 J. D. Greene rifles were manufactured 1859-63 by the Asa H. Waters Armory in Millbury, Massachusetts, 3,000 of which were shipped to Russia. The Massachusetts State Militia is believed to have received a small number of Greene rifles, which they likely employed in September 1862 at Antietam. Antietam was the only documented Civil War use of Greene rifles (Greene cartridges have been excavated there). The U. S. Ordnance Dept. contracted for 900 Greene rifles in January 1863; taking delivery later that year. These rifles are believed to have remained in stores, never seeing service.

Patented in 1857 by Lt. Col. James Durell Greene, and improved in 1862, this was the first bolt-action rifle adopted by the U. S. Ordnance Dept. In addition to being the first regulation bolt-action, it was the only regulation underhammer action, only regulation oval-bore rifle, and only regulation rifle whose cartridge held the bullet behind the powder charge. The action was complex to operate and the unconventional loading procedure was simply beyond the ability of the common soldier to manage under fire.

This bayonet is identified as B82 in Reilly’s book, American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards. Research by SABC member Ed Hull published in 2019 (Society of American Bayonet Collectors Journal, Volume 107, Spring 2019), summarizes what is known about this unusual socket bayonet.

Bay State Works in Northampton, Massachusetts is documented as having received a State of Massachusetts contract for sword blades, bayonets and gun barrels on July 2, 1861. Bay State Works is believed to have produced the bayonets supplied to Boston contractor, Augustine J. Drake who altered Model 1841 rifles to accept a socket bayonet for the State of Massachusetts. Socket bayonets produced by Bay State Works share an unusual blade design, with the back flutes cut all the way through the elbow, that has come to be known as the “Drake Pattern.”

Drake delivered 1,742 altered M1841 rifles and 1,984 “long bayonets” to the State in early 1862. 1,660 rifles and bayonets were immediately issued to the 46th and 51st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiments. These regiments were enlisted for nine months, serving in North Carolina 1862–63. The rifles and bayonets were marked with a rack number. This example’s rack number is in the letter-dot-number format used by the 46th, who received 920 rifles. A rack number using a letter-number format was used by the 51st, who received 740 rifles. An additional 303 M1841 rifles were altered to the Lindner Breechloading System by Boston contractor, Morse & Allen, also accept the Drake Alteration socket bayonet. 200 of these went to the Federal Govt.; 103 to Massachusetts.

These 2,045 rifles are the only M1841 rifle alterations that accept a socket bayonet sized to the rifle’s original muzzle diameter. Others were altered to accept a sword bayonet or had the muzzle turned to accept the smaller diameter M1855 socket bayonet.

This bayonet’s 20-inch. (505 mm.) blade required a special scabbard, of which Massachusetts procured 1,870. Approximately 2,287 of the M1841 Drake Alteration socket bayonets appear to have been produced. This example is one of the 920 issued to the 46th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, as evidenced by the rack number.

A similar bayonet may have been produced for the Confederacy at the Fayetteville Arsenal in 1864–65. Identification of Confederate bayonets is challenging, requiring expert assessment.

The socket length is 2.965 in. (75 mm.); muzzle length 1.220 in. (31 mm.).

This bayonet is identified as B108 in Reilly’s book, American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards. Research by SABC members Paul Johnson and Joseph Marsden published in 1998 (Society of American Bayonet Collectors Journal, Volume 26, Winter 1998); and additional research by Paul Johnson published in 2019, in the book, Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Years 1848–1865, is responsible for what we know about this unusual socket bayonet.

Early Sharps and Spencer socket bayonets were manufactured by the Bay State Works, Northampton, Massachusetts, along with the M1841 Drake Alteration bayonets described above. These bayonets share the unusual blade design that has come to be known as the “Drake Pattern,” although Augustine Drake was not involved with the Sharps/Spencer bayonet. Another distinguishing feature is an odd placement of the locking ring stop pin, 30-degrees further around the socket from that of the M1855 bayonet.

The first Sharps rifles accepting a socket bayonet were the 2,000 Sharps rifles procured in 1862 for Col. Hiram Berdan’s 1st and 2nd Regiments of U.S. Sharp Shooters. An image taken in July 1862 unmistakably shows this unique socket bayonet in use by an identified soldier of the 1st U.S.S.S. The first 1,200 Spencer repeating rifles delivered to the Army are also documented as having been supplied with socket bayonets with 18.5 in. (470 mm.) blades produced in Northampton.

This bayonet’s 18.5 in. blade was not compatible with the Army’s 18-inch scabbards. In November 1862, the Ordnance Department accepted the bayonets that had already been produced, but required that any additional Sharps and Spencer bayonets be of the standard 18-inch M1855 blade pattern.

Approximately 3,200 of the Drake Pattern Sharps/Spencer bayonets appear to have been produced. Bay State Works ceased bayonet production in late 1862. Collins & Co. began producing bayonets in 1863, producing the M1855-style socket bayonets subsequently used with Sharps and Spencer rifles.

The socket length is 3.00 in. (76 mm.); muzzle length 1.190 (30 mm.).

This example has no British government markings, indicating that it was likely imported to the USA during the American Civil War. The Enfield was the second most common rifle used in the American Civil War, with nearly 1 million imported and used by both sides. The socket length is 2.9375 in. (75 mm.).

According to British socket bayonet authority Graham Priest, the “J•R” marking indicates that the bayonet was likely made in Liege, Belgium. The other ricasso marking may be an incomplete CHAVASSE. There was a retailer, Horace Chavasse & Co., at Alma street, Aston Newton (near Birmingham, England) 1860–1868. Chavasse has been documented as also having marked P1856 sword bayonets.

This uncommon and nondescript socket bayonet is identified primarily by its dimensions and the rather long ricasso, compared to regulation U.S. bayonets. The socket length is 2.625 in. (67 mm.).

Research published in 2019 by Edward Hull in his book, Peabody Firearms, expanded on his earlier published work regarding bayonets used with the Peabody rifles.

Earlier M1866 Peabody rifles produced for Canada and Cuba used the U.S. M1855 socket bayonet. Peabody rifles made in 1867 for Switzerland were not supplied with a bayonet. The Swiss specified the muzzle diameter be such that existing Swiss M1863 socket bayonets could be used.

According to sales records, 81,549 Peabody rifles that used the M1867 bayonet were produced 1867–71 by the Providence Tool Co. of Providence, Rhode Island, based on a design patented by inventor Henry O. Peabody. The vast majority were for foreign contracts:

Although the Peabody fared exceptionally well in the U.S. Army breechloading rifle trials of 1865, the hoped-for large U.S. Government contract never materialized.

This triangular socket bayonet with a 2.625 in. (67 mm.) socket is the most common pattern of socket bayonet produced for export contracts. There were two variants, one with nominal blade length of 18 in. (457 mm.) and 21 15/32 in. (545 mm.). The short pattern was also produced for some domestic contracts (both Federal and State Militia).

One of the challenges with Remington Rolling Block bayonets is that there were so many customers/production contracts (and everybody wanted something a little different). Consequently, many minor dimensional variations exist due to different rifle calibers and other customizations, etc.

One point of identification is the wide mortise. The Remington rifles had a wide front sight base, which resulted in a much wider mortise than on other contemporary bayonets, such as the M1867 Peabody (above) and U.S. M1873 (below).

It is not clear which rolling block rifle contract this bayonet was produced for, as it does not exactly match any of the examples listed in Janzen's book on Remington bayonets.

Remington capitalized on it's production of 10,000 Swedish M1867 socket bayonets in 1868 to offer an alternative bayonet to export customers that mounted below the barrel, rather than to the right side.

This example differs from the Swedish contract bayonet in having been produced in the white (Swedish bayonets were blued) and in having a steel socket (Swedish M1867s made by Remington had an iron socket). The socket length is 2.625 in. (67 mm.).

The box receptacle was not constructed and the rough tool marks remain. The original “U.S.” ricasso mark and face flute are still partially visible. The brass screw is a later addition, not being of the type used with regulation U.S. fencing bayonets.

In his book, The .45-70 Springfield, Book II 1865–1893, Frasca documents that, in February 1870, Col. (Bvt.) Silas Crispin, Commander of the New York Ordnance Agency, requested that Springfield Armory (SA) produce 20 new fencing muskets. In April, the new fencing muskets were shipped, accompanied by fencing bayonets. However, the fencing muskets had .58 caliber bayonet mounts and the bayonets had .69 caliber sockets!

Col. Crispin informed SA of the problem and requested provision of .58 caliber fencing bayonets. Col. (Bvt.) J. G. Benton (commander of SA) acknowledged Col. Crispin’s request, adding that “I think that it will be best to have clasps on the sockets for the fencing muskets.” Although Crispin referred to the unusable .69 caliber bayonets as the “old model of 1822,” Col. Benton’s reply suggests that these 20 sockets may have included a locking ring. It appears that, while Benton was willing to produce .58 caliber sockets, he intended to retain or introduce a locking ring as part of the design.

The 1869–70 Ordnance Dept. Statement on Manufacture and Issue of Arms indicated fabrication at SA of “20 wooden guns for bayonet fencing” and “40 bayonet-sockets for bayonet fencing.” These 40 fencing sockets probably comprised the 20 unusable .69 caliber sockets and 20 .58 caliber replacements (introducing what we know today as the Type II Fencing Bayonet).

This example was likely in-process at SA in 1870 and was abandoned due to the agreement to produce fencing bayonets of .58 caliber.

Read more about U.S. Fencing Bayonets in my article: Regulation U.S. Fencing Bayonets 1852–1915.

The beautiful high-polish blue finish illustrates the painstaking workmanship exhibited on these rifles and bayonets. The socket length is 3.00 in. (76 mm.).

Leather scabbard hanger is for a 1.50 in. (38 mm.) wide equipment belt and was made at Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, NY.

The scabbard is attached to the leather hanger by two small tabs, one of which is riveted to the leather.  According to Reilly, this is indicative that this scabbard was made prior to the riveted tab being phased out in the early 1880s.

This bayonet is a scaled-down version of the issue M1873 socket bayonet. The socket length is 3.00 in. (76 mm.).

The cadet rifle was shorter than the standard M1873 infantry rifle, since its primary use was for drilling.  However, the cadet rifle was made to the same standards as it's full-sized cousin and was every bit as accurate and lethal.

There were approximately 22,000 M1873 Cadet Rifles produced during its 20-year production period.

The trowel bayonet was conceived to provide soldiers with a dual-purpose bayonet and entrenching tool. Following the U.S. Civil War, the conventional wisdom in the Army was that the bayonet was largely unnecessary and that soldiers should be individually-equipped to rapidly entrench without the need to bring entrenching tools forward by wagon.

The trowel bayonet was proposed by Lt. Edmund Rice in 1868. 200 of his initial design was trialed by the U.S. Engineers, followed by more extensive trials with 500 of an improved design carried out in the West by the 3rd and 5th Infantry Regiments. While the blade was an effective tool, the M1855-style socket made for a very uncomfortable hand grip, resulting in rapid fatigue.

The M1873 design incorporated an ingenious contoured, rotating socket/hand grip patented by Springfield Armory pattern maker Ira Merrill and saddler/inspector Felix Chillingworth. Chillingworth also developed the walnut haft that could be inserted into the socket. The haft increased the soldier’s leverage when digging and reduced the temptation to dig with the bayonet fixed (which was forbidden, as it could bend the rifle barrel or split the stock).

Trials were overseen by the Board of Breech-Loading Small Arms chaired by Gen. Alfred Terry (Terry Board). Although opinion from the field was mixed, a significant majority preferred the trowel bayonet. In 1873, the Board recommended, and Army Command approved, a trial issue to infantry across the Army. This led to limited production of the M1873 Trowel Bayonet, with 10,000 being produced at Springfield Armory during 1874–75.

One of the officers of the Terry Board who voted to approve was Maj. Marcus Reno, who three years later reflected that “my loss [at Little Big Horn] would have been less had I been provided with some instrument similar to the trowel bayonet [bayonets were not issued to cavalry] and I am sure had an opponent of that weapon been present with my command on the night of June 25th, he would have given his right arm for 50 bayonets.” As it was, Reno’s troops franticly dug in under a withering fire using the implements from their mess kits (knives, spoons, tin cups).

Scabbard (belt hanger): feint "Watervleit" over "Arsenal"

Scabbard (inside throat): "A.R.S."

The M1873 Trowel bayonet’s 3.50 in. (89 mm.) wide blade is brightly-polished. The 3.50 in. (89 mm.) socket and elbow are finished in a high-polish blue. The reverse arch in the elbow enabled the bayonet to be used as a rifle rest when driven vertically into the ground. The trowel bayonet had a factory edge ground on the left lower half of the blade, which is illustrated at left.

The scabbard body on this example bears the inspection mark of A. R. Smith, so was made at Watervliet Arsenal. However, the prairie alteration could have been done at another arsenal or depot. The name “McAfee” is scratched into the brass chape.

The cartridge belt was needed to increase the firepower of troops during the Indian Wars, who increasingly encountered opponents armed with repeating rifles. Field attempts to attach cartridge loops to the leather waist belt led to adoption of the M1876 “prairie” cartridge belt. The M1876 cartridge belt was comprised of a leather belt enclosed in a cotton cover with sewn-on cotton cartridge loops. It had no provision to attach a bayonet or other equipment, as designers assumed that the cartridge belt would be worn in addition to the waist belt. However, troops in the field found that wearing two belts was overly cumbersome. In 1878, an alteration was authorized to retrofit three brass rings on the left for suspending equipment using a brass hook.

An improved cartridge belt was adopted in 1880. Designed by Maj. Anson Mills, the M1880 cartridge belt incorporated a manufacturing process of his own invention where the entire belt, including cartridge loops, was woven as a single fabric. However, the M1880 belt also made no provision for attaching equipment. “Mills belts” received the prairie alteration before issue at Ft. Abraham Lincoln Ordnance Depot, Dakota Territory. In 1882, the Depot commander reported satisfaction with the prairie alteration, indicating that half of the troops in the Dept. of Dakota (present-day Minnesota, N. & S. Dakota, and Montana) had the Mills belt, all of which had been altered. At some point after 1882, the brass wire double belt hook was introduced and enabled use of the standard M1873 scabbard with an unaltered Mills belt.

The prairie alteration was once thought to have been only experimental. However, evidence shows that it gave good service from 1878 well into the 1880s, until a simpler solution was devised.

Scabbard (inside throat): "A.R.S." and "J C"

Winchester offered socket bayonets from the late 1860s until at least 1919. Winchester’s socket bayonet production used contractors for at least some of the work. Manufacturing variations are observed, suggesting that bayonets may have been produced sporadically, perhaps accommodating customer preferences (e.g., finish), or that some contractors may have paid less attention to minor cosmetic details.

Socket bayonets used with the Model 1866 and 1873 muskets are unique designs. Evidence shows that, with development the Model 1876 musket, Winchester appears to have standardized their socket bayonet. Socket bayonets used with the Model 1876, 1886, and 1892 lever-action muskets; Model 1885 falling-block musket; and, Winchester-Hotchkiss muskets appear to conform to this standard. While some exceptions are noted, they are few. The Model 1892 Trial Musket bayonet appears to be unique, differing from other Winchester socket bayonets. The reason for this is not known.

Info on Winchester sword bayonets can be found on Ronnie Wilson’s site, U.S. Brass Hilted Sword Bayonets

Production of the Model 1866 musket began in 1869. The number produced is believed to have been in the neighborhood of 14,000, however, the exact figure is unknown, as Model 1866 production records are incomplete. The Model 1866 musket was used by some State Militias and was produced for foreign sales. Model 1866 muskets produced for Turkey mounted a sword bayonet, rather than this socket.

Winchester produced approximately 35,000 Model 1873 muskets from 1874–1919. Muskets accounted for roughly five percent of Model 1873 production. The Model 1873 musket was produced mostly for foreign sales. It had some popularity in South America, going to Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. They also went to Mexico, France, and Turkey.

One Model 1892 musket and two experimental Model 1894 muskets have also been observed fitted with Model 1873 socket bayonets.

The Winchester-Hotchkiss was a bolt-action repeating rifle made in both sporting and .45–70 caliber musket models. The first model (collector’s designation M1878) included 500 rifles procured by the Army and 1,474 by the Navy. The second model (collector’s designation M1879) included 1,000 procured by the Navy. These were jointly-produced by Winchester and Springfield Armory 1879–81. The third model (collector’s designation M1883) was produced only by Winchester, of which the Army reportedly procured 712.

Two variants of this socket bayonet have been documented. Research published in the SABC Journal by Mark W. Nordland (Vol. 4, Summer 1991) and Joseph Marsden Vol. 8, Summer 1994) provide much of what is known about these bayonets.

Marsden indicates that Winchester socket bayonets supplied for use with first and second model (M1878; M1879) Winchester-Hotchkiss muskets have the same socket dimensions as the U.S. M1873. Bayonets supplied with the third model (M1883) Winchester-Hotchkiss musket had the same socket dimensions as bayonets for the Model 1876, 1886, 1892, and 1894 lever-action muskets. Nordland’s article includes a dimensioned drawing that documents the Winchester Model 1876 musket’s muzzle diameter as 0.683 in. (17.3 mm.) and the muzzle length as 1.1875 in. (1 3/16 in. or 30.1 mm.). Reilly indicates that this bayonet was also used with the Model 1894 musket. This shows that, once introduced, this type became Winchester’s standard socket bayonet. (See further discussion under Model 1892 Trial Musket, below).

Nordland cites research obtained from the Winchester Firearms Museum indicating that Winchester shipped 617 Model 1876 muskets. Winchester also produced Model 1885 falling-block muskets (most in .22 caliber; 478 of which were reportedly center-fire); 372 Model 1886 and 574 Model 1892 lever-action muskets. However, only 5 experimental Model 1894 muskets are known, 2 of which are fitted with Model 1873 socket bayonets. There were no production Model 1894 muskets until a commemorative was issued in 1971.

Museum records indicate that Winchester contracted socket bayonets to James D. Carroll for finishing, Stillman Leighton for bluing, and Frank Jewett for the locking ring.

Frank Jewett and his father, Josiah Jewett, performed contract work for Winchester in New Haven, CT, for many years. Frank was described as “a skilled machinist and was for some years a contractor in the Winchester Arms Co. who performed contract work for Winchester, often keeping 40 or 50 men employed.” Frank was born in 1853 and Josiah died in 1888, so were working when bayonets for the Model 1876 muskets and Winchester-Hotchkiss rifles were produced.

The bayonet is similar in appearance to the Winchester Model 1873 socket bayonet, except that the bridge is in line with the elbow. As shown in this comparison image, the blade shoulders are distinctively rounded as they taper to the elbow. The example pictured at left is from the Robert Reilly Collection, so may be the actual bayonet described as B141 in his book. However, Reilly’s description contains some errors and ambiguities; and, the drawing mistakenly shows the bridge offset 90-degrees from the elbow.

In correspondence with author/researcher, Graham Priest, (then) Winchester Firearms Museum curator, Herbert G. Houze, described these as “experimental Winchester bayonets for the Model 1892 Musket.” Houze further indicated that:

“… the bayonets supplied with the twenty-five (25) Model 1892 Trial Muskets would all have been of standard dimension. They were hand-fitted to the extent of having the sockets polished to a higher degree than normal. The bayonets supplied with the trial single shot muskets were all hand-fitted as these arms were of different caliber (.22, .32, .38 and .44).

The standard Springfield bayonet was fitted to Model 1892 and 1894 Muskets which were fitted with a lug. Though unmarked, these bayonets were also made by Winchester.”

Houze describes two different arms as the Model 1892 musket, which may have contributed to confusion that this bayonet was used with the Model 1892 lever-action musket.

The Model 1892 Trial Muskets were clearly single-shot rifles. These would have been derivatives of the Winchester Model 1885 falling-block, Winchester’s only suitable single-shot action. The range of calibers specified (.22, .32, .38 and .44) is consistent with their Model 1885 offering; and, not with the Model 1892 lever-action, which was not, then, offered in .22 caliber. As noted above, Model 1885 muskets had been produced in quantity. At the time, these included a cleaning rod beneath the barrel, requiring that the bayonet mount to the side.

French author/researcher, Pierre Renoux, documented four European examples of the 1892 Trial Musket bayonet, differing most significantly in their socket diameters, which measured: 16.5 mm. (0.650 in.), 16.7 mm., 17.5 mm. and 17.6 mm. (0.695 in.). The socket diameter of the example pictured at left measures 17.5 mm. (0.690 in.). As shown in this comparison image, the socket wall is noticeably thinner and less uniform inside than either the Model 1873 or Winchester's "Springfield" socket, suggesting that material was likely removed by hand to achieve its present diameter. Based on dimensions, one, possibly two, of these five might fit the Model 1873 musket; while three, possibly four, are either too small or too large. However, this bayonet type has not been observed or reported in the presence of a Model 1873 musket (of which a sizeable number survive).

Available evidence seems to corroborate what Museum curator Houze indicated, that the Model 1892 Trial Musket and its bayonet are an experimental type. The need to hand-fit bayonets to single-shot trial muskets of different calibers apparently resulted in some examples coincidentally dimensioned so as to possibly fit the Model 1873 lever-action musket.

The Model 1892 and 1894 muskets that Houze subsequently referred to as fitted with the "standard Springfield bayonet" are the lever-action muskets. This description clearly refers to the socket bayonet common to the Model 1876, 1886, and 1892 lever-action muskets; Model 1885 falling-block musket; and, Winchester-Hotchkiss muskets. Houze's terminology shows that he understood that Winchester considered the "Springfield" type their standard socket bayonet. His somewhat erroneous inclusion of the Model 1894 fits with Reilly indicating that it was used with the Model 1894. Both fit with Marsden finding that the Winchester-Hotchkiss M1883 bayonet has the same socket dimensions as bayonets for the Model 1876, 1886, 1892, and 1894 lever action muskets.

Modified for use on a cadet musket or possibly as a movie prop, by shortening the socket length to 1.875 in. (48 mm.). Mounts perfectly to my .577 Caliber Enfield Rifle-Musket.

Similar examples turn up periodically, so were modified in quantity. No way to know who altered them (Bannerman, one of the movie houses, or ?).

The socket has been split to adapt the socket to different diameter rifle barrels. Approximately 1/8" has been removed from the socket rear, shortening the socket length from 3 in. (76 mm.) to 2.875 in. (73 mm.).

The "MGM" property marking indicates that this example came from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios prop department, the contents of which were sold off in 1969-70.

Socket: "MGM"

This cast iron socket bayonet is heavily plated and incorporates a functioning spring steel locking ring that rotates to secure the bayonet when fixed to the rifle. Larger than the more common Bannerman's Cadet cast iron socket bayonet and much more finely finished. The socket length is 3.00 in. (76 mm.).

The Requarth Co. was (and still is) a specialty lumber and cabinetry company. The company was founded in 1860 and is still in business today in the same downtown Dayton, Ohio, location they have been at since 1895. The Boys Brigade Gun was a (mostly) wooden drill rifle made by Requarth and retailed by three companies whose names also appear on the rifles.

The exact period of manufacture for the rifles and bayonets is not precisely known nor is the actual manufacturer of the bayonets (Requarth was a lumber mill, not a foundry). The Requarth mill was inundated by the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 and substantially damaged by fire in 1915. However, the mill continued operation and today is a 5th-generation family-owned business. The Requarth Co. is historically significant as having supplied the Wright Brothers with spruce for constructing their aircraft.

There was no official nomenclature for 19th Century U.S. fencing bayonets. In 1990, Reilly designated this “Type III” in his book, American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards.

The Type III fencing bayonet was made from Civil War era M1855 socket bayonets. This design was conceived by Ordnance Dept. Col. J. G. Benton in 1876 as an alternative to the Type I and Type II fencing bayonets with whalebone blades. Benton suggested that “a more serviceable fencing bayonet may be made by cutting off the old blade, drawing it to give elasticity and turning over the point for a button.”

A wooden disc was inserted into the button and the button and blade both covered in russet-colored leather for safety. Blade lengths can vary considerably in the 16–18 in. (400–470 mm.) range.

The metalwork was done at Springfield Armory (SA). Leather covers were fabricated and installed in the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) Harness Shop.

The first quantity production of the Type III fencing bayonet occurred in 1897–98 (2,008 reported). Additional production of between 1,300 and 3,000 occurred ca.1904–06 (possibly into 07), at which point the supply of M1855 bayonets was exhausted.

Only the leather covers were marked. However, 1897–98 production was issued uncovered, because RIA lacked capacity to produce the covers due to demands for leather infantry equipment needed to equip volunteers mobilized for the Spanish-American War. This explains why no examples with 1897 or 1898 cover dates exist.

Type III fencing bayonets had covers renewed long after production of these bayonets had ceased. This undated example had its cover applied at RIA ca. 1917-20, as evidenced by the inspector's initials. The inspector identified by “H.E.K.” was Henry E. Kelsey. A civilian, he inspected leather goods at RIA 1901–20. The inspector identified by “W.T.G.” is Walter T. Gorton. An Army officer, he served at RIA from 1917–21.

Read more about U.S. Fencing Bayonets in my article: Regulation U.S. Fencing Bayonets 1852–1915.

Made of cast-iron; and sporting a thick coat of dark paint, this small socket bayonet has a blunted point, as it was made only for drill and parade use. The socket length is 1.625 in. (41 mm.).

These are commonly associated with New York surplus dealer, Francis Bannerman, due to their listing in early Bannerman catalogs (ca. 1907).

In 1915, Russia contracted with Remington and with the New England Westinghouse Co. to produce the 7.62 mm. M1891 Mosin-Nagant rifle and the accompanying bayonets. When the Communist Revolution of 1917 overthrew the government of Czar Nicholas II, the contract was cancelled, leaving Remington and N.E. Westinghouse holding a large quantity of M1891 rifles and bayonets; with factories tooled-up to produce Russian arms. The U.S. Government purchased all of the rifles and bayonets on hand, plus any more they could produce while thier factories were converted to produce Browning machine guns.

The tiny circle-R and serial number, and the absence of any Russian markings, identifies this example as having been produced by Remington. Some of the U.S.-purchase bayonets were marked with the Ordnance Dept. "Shell and Flame" device, however, many were not. As this example illustrates, the fit and finish of the Remington bayonet is better than on Russian-produced M1891 bayonets.

Produced by the Daisy manufacturing Company Inc. of Plymouth, Michigan, approximately 150,000 #40 rifles and bayonets were made from 1916–1934.

The #40 is said to be one of the most sought after items by today’s collectors of Daisy BB guns. Examples of the bayonet are far less common than rifles, with many having been lost (or confiscated and disposed of by concerned parents).

The Model 1941 was an innovative rifle design developed by U.S.M.C. Capt. Melvin M. Johnson as an alternative to the M1 Garand. The rifle's recoil-operated action required a lightweight bayonet, which accounts for the bayonet's skeletal appearance.

Essentially, a socket bayonet without a socket, this bayonet mounts to the rifle by means of an ingenious flat spring. The scabbard is leather with a brass thorn to secure the hilt strap.

A total of approximately 30,000 Johnson Model 1941 rifles are believed to have been produced. The Model 1941 rifle and bayonet were used in small numbers by U.S. Marines, the Netherlands, and Chile. The CIA armed some of the Cuban-Exile guerilla forces with Johnson rifles during the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion.

Serial numbering of the muzzle ring is believed to have been done by the Netherlands, indicating that this example likely saw service in the Far East with Dutch Naval Forces or the Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger or KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army).

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Johnson was assigned as an observer of the Army trials of the Garand and Peterson rifles. During his time at Springfield Armory, he developed his own designs for the Model 1941 self-loading rifle and Model 1941 light machine gun. The designs were considered especially innovative. The Johnson Model 1941 rifle’s 8-lugged rotating bolt design was adapted by designer Eugene Stoner for his revolutionary Armalite AR-10 assault rifle and is still used today in the M16 assault rifle.