Antique Bayonets

This is a sword bayonet manufactured from the period of 1856 to about 1878. They are typically British in design in that it has pressed-leather grips, "cock's-comb" upper finial, will lower "button" finial.
These are attached by fitting the "muzzle-ring" over the barrel muzzle, and fastening the pommel to a bar (lug) on the barrel or lug on a steel band. This example attaches to a bar on the barrel. The main difference between the the Pattern 1858 and the 1856 is: the 1856 attaches to a bar (or lug) on the barrel and has a muzzle ring in which the inner diameter is in line with the tang of the blade; the 1858 attaches to a bar on a barrel-band and has a muzzle ring in which the inner diameter stands off about 1/8" above the blade tang (about 1/4" above the blade back edge).
Metal furniture is iron (steel); latch is of external spring-steel type with integral push-button; grips are of black pressed-leather.
These were designed to fit the .577" caliber Enfield "2-band" Rifled Infantry Short-Muskets of the period.
Blade length is about 23" and muzzle ring diameter is ~7/8" (internal).
These bayonets were popular with North and South during the American Civil War, as were the rifles.

Bayonet is in good condition with surface oxidation pressing; no heavy pitting. the grip shows signs of usage as is expected on these used during the Civil War. I cannot find any markings on the bayonet. No scabbard.

This was the standard knife bayonet issued and used by the Germans in WWI and WWII. Manufacture originally began in 1898 - the new era of the 1898 German Mauser - and continued in evolutionary stages through World War II. The 1st Pattern 84/98 was converted from Model 71/84 bayonets; the 2nd Pattern had wood grips, bright blades, and most had flash-guards. This bayonet is the 3rd Pattern with dark composition grips, held on by two flush-mount screw/nut sets (one set is a replacement type); short crossguard, no muzzle-ring; steel pommel "loosely considered a bird's-head," T/O slot; various Waffenampt stamps; push-button/internal-spring latch arrangement; no flash-guard.
Blade is single-edged, single-fullered (both sides); ricasso is marked "J.Sch." with serial number on reverse; blade back-edge is stamped "38". Blued blade with ~85%.
Scabbard is sheet-rolled steel, pitted but has been cleaned, no bluing remains. Throat is dated "43" and marked "asw". Serial number on reverse does not matching the bayonets' serial number.
This bayonet was designed to fit the 1898 German Mauser Carbines and Rifles and their evolutionary variants.

Overall condition is good.

This was the standard knife bayonet issued and used by the Germans in WWI and WWII. Manufacture originally began in 1898 - the new era of the 1898 German Mauser - and continued in evolutionary stages through World War II. The 1st Pattern 84/98 was converted from Model 71/84 bayonets; the 2nd Pattern had wood grips, bright blades, and most had flash-guards. This bayonet is the 3rd Pattern with dark - but lighter than the previous bayonet - composition grips, held on by two flush-mount screw/nut sets; short crossguard, no muzzle-ring; steel pommel "loosely considered a bird's-head," T/O slot; push-button/internal-spring latch arrangement; with flash-guard; various Waffenampt stamps.
Blade is single-edged, single-fullered (both sides); ricasso is marked "E.u.F.Horster" with serial number on reverse; blade back-edge is stamped "40". Blued blade with ~85%.
Scabbard is sheet-rolled steel, with some pitting, ~50% bluing remains. Throat is stamped "S/244G". Serial number on reverse matches the bayonets' serial number.
This bayonet was designed to fit the 1898 German Mauser Carbines and Rifles and their evolutionary variants.

Overall condition is very-good.

This was the standard knife bayonet issued and used by the Germans in WWI and WWII. Manufacture originally began in 1898 - the new era of the 1898 German Mauser - and continued in evolutionary stages through World War II. The 1st Pattern 84/98 was converted from Model 71/84 bayonets; the 2nd Pattern had wood grips, bright blades, and most had flash-guards. This bayonet is the 3rd Pattern with late reddish composition grips, held on by two flush-mount screw/nut sets; short crossguard, no muzzle-ring; steel pommel "loosely considered a bird's-head," T/O slot; push-button/internal-spring latch arrangement; with flash-guard; various Waffenampt stamps.
Blade is single-edged, single-fullered (both sides); ricasso is marked "44 crs" with serial number on reverse; blade back-edge is stamped "44". Blued blade with ~95%.
Scabbard is sheet-rolled steel, with some pitting, ~75% bluing remains. Throat is stamped "44 crs". Serial number on reverse matches the bayonets' serial number.
This bayonet was designed to fit the 1898 German Mauser Carbines and Rifles and their evolutionary variants.

Overall condition is very-good to excellent.

This bayonet was the last of the French "sword-type" bayonets. It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 "Gras" Infantry Rifle, basically a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle. The "Gras" was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885.

This bayonet has a solid brass pommel with integral latching mechanism (push-button/spring-steel). Grips are wood. Crossguard is steel, usually "blued," with upper guard being the muzzle-ring, lower guard forming a hooked "blade-breaker" quillon.
Blades are steel - well made - and triangular (3-edge) in form (very sturdy as a thrusting weapon). The blades are usually marked on the back-edge (opposite the bottom cutting edge) with the arsenal, month, and year of manufacture; this is done in engraved cursive fashion and will appear something like this one, "Mre d' Armes de St. Etienne Fevier 1877". Contrary to novice speculation, this is not the name of a lieutenant or major, nor is it a presentation date; in reality - as previously stated - it is the the exact month, year, and location of manufacture.
Arsenal locations I have observed on these types are: Châtellerault, Paris-Oudry, St. Etienne, and Tulle.
The scabbard is blued sheet-rolled steel, semi-oval, tubular, with a ball finial.

These bayonets replaced the Model 1866 "Chassepot" bayonet (and corresponding infantry rifle), and were replaced by the French Model 1886 Lebel Bayonet (aka "Rosalie") (and corresponding infantry rifle).

Several other countries used this bayonet, including Greece (these are marked "Waffenfabrik Steyr" or "Usine de Steyr"), Germany (many modified variants), Ireland, and others; Portugal also used a variant for their Portuguese Kropatschek Navy Rifle, but their bayonet has a straight back-edge on the grip (no hump).

The French Model 1874 "Gras" Bayonet has a colorful history was used by the French Foreign Legion on more than one occasion.

The French wars during the useful "life-span" of this bayonet were:

• French Indo-China in 1873-1874 and again in 1882-1883;
• Sino-French War 1883-1885;
• Madagascar Wars 1883-1885 and 1895;
• 1st Mandingo-French War 1885-1886;
• 1st Dahomeyan-French War 1889-1990;
• 2nd Dahomeyan-French War 1892;
• 2nd Mandingo-French War 1894-1895;
• Conquest of Chad 1897-1914;
• 3rd Mandingo-French War 1885-1886;
• Moroccan War 1907-1912;
• World War I (early).

Same as above except without the "anchor" mark and dated 1880; matching serial number on bayonet and scabbard.

Overall condition of this set is very-good+.

Same as above except, again, without the "anchor" mark and dated 1882; matching serial number on bayonet and scabbard.

Overall condition of this set is very-good+.

This is a knife/sword bayonet from the period of 1897 to about 1945.
Manufactured by various Japanese arsenals and sub-contractors and so marked on the blade ricasso.
This example manufactured circa 1936-1945 by Kokura-Tokyo Arsenal.

Overall length, in scabbard, is ~21";

Bayonet, out of scabbard, is ~20" in length;

Hilt is ~4-1/2" in length - including cross-guard.
Crossguard and pommel and made of steel; "blued" metal. Pommel has serial number and Japanese characters stamped into butt; attaching mechanism (button) is on left side of pommel. Two-piece grips are made of wood.

Straight single-edged blade is ~15-1/2" in length, ~7/8" wide at ricasso; "blued" blade; un-fullered;ricasso is stamped with the maker's marks; this example is stamped with the Tokyo Arsenal mark: "4 stacked cannon balls" (1 stacked on 3); and the contractor Kokura: "an odd-shaped hourglass".

Scabbard is ~16-1/2" in length; "blued" finish. Scabbard throat has a metal loop for attaching leather strap from belt attaching frog; drag has a rounded finial.

This bayonet-scabbard set would be considered in overall very-good (approaching excellent) original condition.

This bayonet was designed to fit the Type 38 and Type 99 Japanese Rifles. These bayonets are not rare, but they are becoming scarce in good condition. They can be found in a number of variants.

This is a socket bayonet manufactured from the period of 1863 to about 1871. They are very similar to the subsequent Model 1871 for the Swiss Vetterli, but the latter is of noticeably larger dimensions. These bayonets are also similar to the Russian Model 1891 Mosin-Nagant Socket Bayonet (1st Pattern) and the Dutch Model 1871 de Beaumont Socket Bayonet.
They have cruciform (4-edged) ~19" blades, blued finish; ~2-5/8" socket length; ~1-1/8" shank. The sight-bridge has a slot machined into it shaped like an inverted "V".

This example is in very-good to fine condition.

No scabbard.

This is a French Model 1886 Lebel Infantry Bayonet without hooked quillon, made for the various WWI era - possibly WWII era - "Lebel" and "Fusil" Infantry Rifles, with evolutionary modifications.

Overall length - in scabbard - is ~25-3/4";

Hilt is ~4-5/8" in length (including crossguard), ~2" at widest point (crossguard); solid brass grip; cross-guard and latching mechanism are integrated together. The handle - or grip - is held in place by a screw-nut and is removeable. The original Model 1886 was a silver-alloy handle with hooked "blade-breaker" quillon; this one is brass without hooked quillon (removed at the arsenal). Marked "R" in a shield on cross-guard.

This blade is nothing more than a pig-sticker. It is a straight 4-edged-blade (cruciform) and is ~20-7/16" long, ~1/2" wide at ricasso, 4 full-length fullers.
No blade markings are apparent on this example.

Scabbard is ~21-1/8" in length; tubular steel with ball-finial; no finish remains and it has been aggressively cleaned (could easily be returned to a correct "blued" finish). Marked "M" in a shield on ball finial.

Serial numbers match on bayonet and scabbard.

This is the standard knife/sword bayonet - manufactured beginning 1917 and was used on several firearms to WWII - with the exception being that this one has the nickel-plate associated with dress/parade or police units. This is not the bright "pimp" nickel that is commonly found on non-original items plated at later times, but is the true "satin" nickel found on true original parade/police types.

As with the standard military issue, these were manufactured for the U.S. Model 1917 (aka "US Enfield", aka "Eddystone") .30-06" caliber rifle (not to be confused with the British No.1 SMLE .303 caliber series which accepts the British P1907 Bayonet).
M1917 Bayonet examples made in the U.S. - as with this one - are usually stamped "U.S.", dated "1917," and stamped with the U.S. Military "ordnance bomb" (aka "flaming onion") logo above the "U.S."
Manufacturers were Remington (this one is Remington marked) and Winchester.
Blade is made of steel, grips are of wood with two horizontal grooves cut into the sides; pommels may or may not have the the "oil-hole" (this variant has the oil-hole).

Note: No scabbard included with this bayonet.

Light scattered oxidation - mainly on hilt/pommel - but some lightly scattered oxidation on the blade; most - if not all - will clean up nicely with a little elbow grease. Factory edge on the blade and has not been sharpened (very nice). Absolutely no peeling plating, only minor oxidation is apparent. One small ding on the pommel-butt. Very-very minor abrasions elsewhere. Over-all a very nice US Model 1917 Dress/Parade/Police Bayonet.

Please resolve any issues prior to purchase: E-mail.

This is the most widely copied of all the sword bayonets. Many countries - including the United States, Egypt, Belgium, and Argentina - have manufactured or used bayonets very similar to this one. The French model was designed to fit on the French Model 1866 Chassepot Rifled Infantry Musket (the musket was revolutionary in itself). It was manufactured from 1866 to 1874 and was replaced by the French Model 1874 "Gras" Bayonet.
This bayonet is brass-hilted with a spring steel latching arrangement on the right side. The crossguard is iron (steel) and has a screw-type tightening arrangement on the muzzle-ring. The lower quillon is a hooked "blade-breaker" type.
The blade is steel, single-edged, fullered (both sides), with a re-curved or "yataghan-shape." The blades are usually marked on the back-edge (opposite the cutting edge) with the arsenal, month, and year of manufacture; this is done in engraved cursive fashion and will appear something like, "Mre d' Armes de Chatellerault Janvier 1866" or perhaps "Mre d' Armes de St. Etienne 8bre [October] 1868"; this one is simply marked "St. Etienne 7bre 1871" (the 7bre is for September).
There are numerous variations of this bayonet and they were produced in the many-many thousands. The scabbards are usually blued sheet-rolled steel with a ball finial, as is this one.

These bayonets replaced the French Model 1842 Sword Bayonet and - in turn - were replaced by the French Model 1874 "Gras" Bayonet (and corresponding infantry rifle).

This example is in good to very good condition with light scattered oxidation on the blade, no pitting; most - if not all - will clean up nicely with a little elbow grease.
Blade has not been sharpened.
Scabbard has one small ding and scattered oxidation overall; no pitting.
Matching serial numbers on bayonet and scabbard.

Please resolve any issues prior to purchase: E-mail.

This sword bayonet was believed manufactured for US Model 1855 Colt Revolving Artillery Carbine, of which perhaps no more than 200 were made. According to R.L. Wilson's, "The Book of Colt Firearms," this was the "rarest distinct variation in the carbine series." He further states that, "bayonets measure 28-3/4" overall and are marked S&K (Schnitzler & Kirschbaun). They have iron cross-guards and brass hilts. Locking stud and spring of iron. Blade measured 24-5/16" in length by 1-1/8" in width. Some were marked F.H. on the ricasso, instead of the marking noted above. Produced in Europe, probably Germany."
The overall length of this example is ~28-1/2" but it is quite obvious that the tip has been impact blunted by ~1/4"; adding that back would show the overall length was - at one time - ~28-3/4". The would make the only discrepancy - and I believe Mr. Wilson may be in error - is the blade length. This example is ~23-3/4" in length, but adding the blunted 1/4" back would make this exactly 24"; if you also include the width of the cross-guard, which is ~5/16" thick, Wilson's measurement is quite plausible.
Reference pages 198 and 199, illustration A.

Scabbards were of black leather body with brass throat and drag.

According to Jerry Janzen, author of, "Bayonets from Janzen's Notebook," this bayonet is also associated with a Brazilian Navy Rifle contract with Belgium, but produced in Germany. He also notes that these were used in the U.S. Civil War and "will fit the Colt Revolving Rifle."
It has a very British appearing cross-guard - utilizing a "cock's-comb" upper quillon-finial, used on similar period British bayonets - and is noted as an English Sea Service Bayonet for an Enfield musket by both Hardin and Kiesling, but Kiesling has stated that it "never saw service in the British Navy."

This bayonet is marked on the right ricasso with an anchor, flanked by two illegible characters.

This bayonet is marked on the left ricasso with S&K, for Schnitzler & Kirschbaum of Solingen, Germany (1811-1864).

This is the spurious copy of the British Elcho that surfaced in the 1980s. It is spuriously marked with the "scales flanked by A C" (for Alexander Coppel of Solingen, Germany). It is a high quality copy, but not near as good as the original.

Scabbards - not included with this bayonet - were of black leather body with sheet-stell throat and drag.

This bayonet was designed to fit the US Model 1892 - and later Krag models - and is the first US knife-type bayonet since the Dahlgren in 1861.
This bayonet will also fit the commercial Winchester 1907 Police Rifle.
Condition is about good, overall, with like condition scabbard.

Scabbard body is sheet-rolled-steel.

This bayonet was designed to fit the US Model 1892 - and later Krag models - and is the first US knife-type bayonet since the Dahlgren in 1861.
This bayonet will also fit the commercial Winchester 1907 Police Rifle.
Condition is about fair to good, overall, with like condition scabbard. Blade has been sharpened.

Scabbard body is sheet-rolled-steel.

This bayonet is the long version German dress bayonet, with 9-3/4" nickel-plated blade. Bird's-head-style pommel, also nickel-plated. Condition is about good, overall, with like condition scabbard.

Scabbard body is sheet-rolled-steel; flat black; one dent towards bottom, full width of scabbard. Belt "frog" imcluded.

This bayonet is the scarce US Model 1905 Ross Rifle Bayonet; only 20,000 of these were purchased by the US and were subsequently issued for training and home guard units during WWI.
These bayonet have the standard Ross Rifle Company markings, but also bear the "US over Ordnance Bomb" logo on both the scabbard and right wood grip. These are scarce.
Condition is about good to very-good, overall, with like condition scabbard.

Scabbard body is brown leather with belt loop.

This bayonet is an original US Model M4 bayonet for the original US M1 Carbine, introduced in WWII. It has the leather-washer grip with Parkerized finish on all metal parts. Underside of guard is marked USM4/UTICA.
Condition is about very-good, overall, with like condition scabbard.

Scabbard body is M8; green fiberglass with canvas loop; metal belt hooks.

Overall condition of this set is very-good to excellent; matching serial number on bayonet and scabbard.

This bayonet was the last of the French "sword-type" bayonets. It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1874 "Gras" Infantry Rifle, basically a refinement of the Model 1866 Chassepot Infantry Rifle. The "Gras" was manufactured from 1874 to about 1885.

This bayonet has a solid brass pommel with integral latching mechanism (push-button/spring-steel). Grips are wood. Crossguard is steel, usually "blued," with upper guard being the muzzle-ring, lower guard forming a hooked "blade-breaker" quillon.
Blades are steel - well made - and triangular (3-edge) in form (very sturdy as a thrusting weapon). The blades are usually marked on the back-edge (opposite the bottom cutting edge) with the arsenal, month, and year of manufacture; this is done in engraved cursive fashion and will appear something like this one, "Mre d' Armes de St. Etienne Janvier 1878". Contrary to novice speculation, this is not the name of a lieutenant or major, nor is it a presentation date; in reality - as previously stated - it is the the exact month, year, and location of manufacture.
Arsenal locations I have observed on these types are: Châtellerault, Paris-Oudry, St. Etienne, and Tulle.
The scabbard is blued sheet-rolled steel, semi-oval, tubular, with a ball finial.

These bayonets replaced the Model 1866 "Chassepot" bayonet (and corresponding infantry rifle), and were replaced by the French Model 1886 Lebel Bayonet (aka "Rosalie") (and corresponding infantry rifle).

Several other countries used this bayonet, including Greece (these are marked "Waffenfabrik Steyr" or "Usine de Steyr"), Germany (many modified variants), Ireland, and others; Portugal also used a variant for their Portuguese Kropatschek Navy Rifle, but their bayonet has a straight back-edge on the grip (no hump).

The French Model 1874 "Gras" Bayonet has a colorful history was used by the French Foreign Legion on more than one occasion.

The French wars during the useful "life-span" of this bayonet were:

• French Indo-China in 1873-1874 and again in 1882-1883;
• Sino-French War 1883-1885;
• Madagascar Wars 1883-1885 and 1895;
• 1st Mandingo-French War 1885-1886;
• 1st Dahomeyan-French War 1889-1990;
• 2nd Dahomeyan-French War 1892;
• 2nd Mandingo-French War 1894-1895;
• Conquest of Chad 1897-1914;
• 3rd Mandingo-French War 1885-1886;
• Moroccan War 1907-1912;
• World War I (early).

This was the standard knife bayonet issued and used by the Germans in WWI and WWII. Manufacture originally began in 1898 - the new era of the 1898 German Mauser - and continued in evolutionary stages through World War II. The 1st Pattern 84/98 was converted from Model 71/84 bayonets; the 2nd Pattern had wood grips, bright blades, and most had flash-guards. This bayonet is the 2nd Pattern with wood grips, held on by two flush-mount screw/nut sets; short crossguard, no muzzle-ring; steel pommel "loosely considered a bird's-head," T/O slot; push-button/internal-spring latch arrangement; with flash-guard; German Waffenampt stamp on upper pommel. Some bluing remains.
Blade is single-edged, single-fullered (both sides); ricasso is marked with manufacturer and date code "OLC 44" with serial number - G2260 - on reverse; blade back-edge date stamp has been removed. Arsenal re-ground blade.
Scabbard is sheet-rolled steel, with some very minor pitting, ~75% bluing remains. Throat is stamped with matching manufacturer and date code (OCL 44); serial number on reverse is G2296 (only thirty-six digits off the bayonet serial number).
This bayonet was designed to fit the 1898 German Mauser Carbines and Rifles and their evolutionary variants.

Overall condition is about good; arsenal refinish.

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