Odd U.S. Fencing Bayonet

[marysdad]

I recently found this interesting fencing bayonet. It is made from a M1835/42 socket bayonet, which is not one of the types documented in Reilly's book. Of course, the whalebone blade is missing, however, it seemed like a nice example. The screw is brass and old, but probably not original. I'm hoping someone has seen this type or knows something about these. Any help or info would be most appreciated.

 

 

[SARGE]

It appears that you have a version of the US Fencing Bayonet, Type II as shown by Robert Reilly in "American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards". Reilly illustrates this as Figure B143 while showing the earlier Type I fencing bayonet illustrated as Figure 142. Your bayonet socket has the slot on the opposite side as his Type II but it has the same box feature to accept the whalebone blade as is missing from yours. I agree the screw may be a period replacement as it is different from those with serated edges that are typically encountered.

 

It seems that you have found another "type" variation. Congratulations!

[marysdad]

This one fits the M1842 .69 caliber musket, so really isn't a type II, which was for the .58 caliber M1855 rifle-musket. The M1842 had a bottom bayonet stud, which is why the mortise is on the opposite side from the Type II. The M1855 had the bayonet stud on top, integral with the front sight.

[Frank Trzaska]

Very interesting find. I had to pull the book out and look at it again. It appears Rielly skipped the M1835 series as it jumps from the M1816 to the M1855 versions.

 

Another one to now look for!

 

All the best

Frank Trzaska