1873 modified collar U.S. Springfield Bayonet M1855 socket with scabbard 002

A lot of measuring and the "nickel" and "dime" tests to gauge the passage and taper rate were required to identify this properly.

 

This seems to be a Model of 1855 Springfield Armory bayonet, from the civil war period. The collars were compressed (shrunk) for the narrowed M1873 barrel. Over a million M1855's remained, mostly unused, at the end of the Civil War.

 

I had thought it to be a Model of 1873 Musket bayonet when purchased at an estate sale, but apparently I was incorrect.

 

This type "frog" hanger was apparently instated after the war. The collars on these were shrunk, and they were blued.

 

There are some tiny corrosion spots here and there, but the blue on the blade and locking collar is almost perfect and doesn't seem to have been re-done, or if re-done, it was long ago and done VERY nicely.

 

Detailed information is available on the Springfield Armory Museum site, and also in: Reilly, Robert M. AMERICAN SOCKET BAYONETS AND SCABBARDS. Andrew Mowbray Inc. Linclon, R.I. 1990.

 

I have handled, sold, and collected many bayonets of this period. This one, once all the old grease and grit was removed with rags and mineral sprits, is the best I've seen of this type.

 

length of scabbard tube= 18 1/2".

 

Length of sheet brass hangar, bottom edge to top = 5 1/8"

 

 

length of barrel collar = 3"

 

inside tube span of barrel collar appx. = 3/4" (mikes about .782", but my calipers are loosey-goosey...)

 

Appx. blade length to curve/collar = 18"

 

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Done