March 23, 201016 yr #1 As stated elsewhere on the forum, identifying these things is hmmm, challenging? I have 3 here. Different lengths, different markings. I've got measurements and will put details in different responses to this original question. Any help and guidance will be most appreciated!
March 23, 201016 yr Author #2 Bayonet 1 (dark) is marked with the letter U over 79. Its dimensions are: Blade length: 15 inches. Socket length: 3 inches. Shank length: 1.25 inches Interior diameter 0.76 inches Outside diameter 0.92 (about 15/16) (used calipers) Blade width at end of flat area with marking: 0.75 inches
March 23, 201016 yr Author #3 Bayonet 2 (bright) is marked with a dot with US under it. Its dimensions are: Blade length: 16 inches. Socket length: 3 inches Interior diameter: 0.76 inches (about ¾) Outside diameter: 0.88 inches (about 7/16) Shank length: 1.25 inches.
March 23, 201016 yr Author #4 Bayonet # 3 is a little more interesting. It has square shoulders and a variety of markings, some on the shank. The deep mark on the blade looks like I7 (17). Its measurements are: Blade length: 18 inches. Blade width at end of flat area: 7/8 inch. Socket length: 2 5/8 inch. Interior diameter: 0.87 Outside diameter: 1 inch Shank length: 1.5 inches.
March 29, 201016 yr Author #5 Bayonet 1 (dark) is marked with the letter U over 79.Its dimensions are: Blade length: 15 inches. Socket length: 3 inches. Shank length: 1.25 inches Interior diameter 0.76 inches Outside diameter 0.92 (about 15/16) (used calipers) Blade width at end of flat area with marking: 0.75 inches After double checking which end to measure and the actual measurements - Corrections to Interior and exterior diameter : Interior 0.68 inches Exterior 0.86 inches
March 29, 201016 yr Author #6 Bayonet # 3 is a little more interesting. It has square shoulders and a variety of markings, some on the shank. The deep mark on the blade looks like I7 (17). Its measurements are: Blade length: 18 inches. Blade width at end of flat area: 7/8 inch. Socket length: 2 5/8 inch. Interior diameter: 0.87 Outside diameter: 1 inch Shank length: 1.5 inches. After double checking which end to measure and the actual measurements - corrected measurements: Interior 0.85 Outside still 1 inch.
March 29, 201016 yr Author #7 Bayonet 2 (bright) is marked with a dot with US under it.Its dimensions are: Blade length: 16 inches. Socket length: 3 inches Interior diameter: 0.76 inches (about ¾) Outside diameter: 0.88 inches (about 7/16) Shank length: 1.25 inches. This bayonet has the same dimensions as the dark bayonet #1. Interior: 0.68 Exterior: 0.86 inches. I am still hoping for some guidance on these 3 bayonets. Thanks!
March 29, 201016 yr #8 Bayonet #2 appears to be a Model 1855,the basic bayonet of the Civil War. Does it appear that it may have been sharpened down? Overall length on these were 21 inches. The U.S. with the dot usually indicates this model. You should be able to drop a penny througth the socket.
March 29, 201016 yr Author #9 No luck - a penny doesn't go through the socket. :ermm: I agree that #2 appears shortened. Thanks for the idea with the penny! Joy
March 29, 201016 yr #10 #1 MAY be a Bannerman cadet version. I don't have the Bannerman catalogs, but he and other dealers such as Stokes-Kirk made various versions of the rifles using surplus parts and sometimes wood barrels to sell to military schools, cadet corps, and the like. The basic bayonet appears to be a Model 1873 with the US partly ground off (it looks like I can see the S faintly), but greatly shortened for use by a smaller cadet. Most people don't know that during the late 1800s, even churches sponsored military style cadet groups. Although I can't make it all out even on the original, the banner behind these kids names a church as their sponsor. #2 is most likely a Model 1873 Cadet bayonet for West Point and other military schools. They were mostly made from Model 1855 bayonets with the swedged down sockets (which most Model 1873s were) and a thinned and shortened blade. My specimen of the Cadet has the identical dot over the US as yours. These were supposed to be blued, but I have seen bright finished ones that may have been used at other schools who wanted to see "the gleam of bayonets" or just someone has polished it after it left US service. #3 is foreign and I really have very little information on them.
March 31, 201016 yr #11 Well, if a penny will not go through it pretty much has to be a variation of the 1873.
March 31, 201016 yr #12 Just had some extra time so did some checking, #3 is French, for the Model 1777. Have one here next to me right now and looks like a match. Measurements match yours.
March 31, 201016 yr #14 Just had some extra time so did some checking, #3 is French, for the Model 1777. Have one here next to me right now and looks like a match. Measurements match yours. I did not realize there was so much difference between the French 1771 & 1777 bayonet. Here is my 1771. Bill
March 31, 201016 yr Author #15 I'd love to learn more about the hallmarks and I'm hoping that google.fr has some info. yahoo.fr has little! There's good information on English hallmarks. Here are a few more of the model 1777.
April 2, 201016 yr Author #17 Just glad I can be of assistance. Actually I also have the musket it goes on. I bet they look really nice together. Those era rifles seem elegant in a way.
Create an account or sign in to comment