J M mark on Model 1816 bayonet

[bayonetman]

Anyone here knowledgeable on the Model 1816 bayonet?

 

I have one that came from my Grandfather, with the story that it was brought home from the Civil War by his grandfather. The blade has the standard inspector marks (although I am not sure what the second letter is) and an 18 at the end of the stud groove.

 

 

The only unusal thing that I find on it is a J W marking on the elbow. I don't seen anything about this mark in the standard references, so thought I would ask here. Arrow points to the mark.

 

 

Closeup of the mark.

 

[Frank Trzaska]

Hello Gary,

I believe your bayonet to be a Pattern of 1827 model. The US / SE marking would be for a contract forging not made in the National Armories. The SE is an unknown contractor from what information I have. It is a known marking just unidentified as to who they were.

 

The 16 is a rack number that would have corresponded to a musket with the same number 16.

 

The J.M. I BELIEVE to be Justin Murphy, a shop foreman of forging at Springfield Armory who also worked part time as a contract inspector of forgings.

 

As good a guess as any I suppose!

 

All the best

Frank Trzaska