Revolutionary War Hessian Bayonet

[Tim H]

Hi, This Hessian bayonet was left in Charleston, SC, in 1782 after the British/Hessian occupation. It is 13 inches long overall. The blade is 9 3/4 inches, and the socket is 2 1/8 inches. Just wanted to see if anyone knows any more about what type of bayonet this might be, what type of musket it was used on, or where/when it was made? Does it match any other Hessian bayonets that anyone owns or knows about? Thanks for your help. Tim

[Misfit 45]

There is a short post on a similar bayonet here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/209417-hessian-bayonet/

Marv

[m1ashooter]

I've checked in The Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution and Swords and Blades of the American Revolution and didn't find one of that length referenced. How do you know its Hessian?

[Tim H]

Hi, Thanks for both replies. I guess I can't be certain it is Hessian, but that's just the story that came with the bayonet. I purchased it from a respected long-time collector who has an extensive military collection from all U.S. wars. He got the bayonet in the 1970s from Schindler's Antique Shop in Charleston, SC. The shop bought it earlier at an estate sale from a Kings Street resident. The story was that the bayonet was left by the Hessians in 1782 when the British evacuated Charleston. I was hoping this one might match a known Dutch or British example. It seems similar to the Dutch one in the earlier posting that Marv referenced, but I don't know much about the details of bayonets. Thanks again, Tim