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MODEL 1855 BAYONET AND CIVIL WAR PATTERN SCABBARD
– WATERTOWN ARSENAL MARKED AND DATED 1863 IN VERY
NICE CONDITION:
A respectable specimen of the standard issue Model 1855
Bayonet with a Type III Leather Scabbard in exceptional
condition manufactured at the Watertown Arsenal just
outside Boston, Massachusetts. Having survived well
through the years, the scabbard features a legible
arsenal stamp on the reverse of the bridle leather belt
loop, “WATERTOWN ARSENAL 1863”.
The scabbard frog is
supple and complete, with no breaks and has an even,
smooth surface with some minor flexing. The scabbard body is very solid with
none of the weak leather or sagging common to heavily
used specimens, and the surface of the leather is
overall bright with some minor crazing and flexing. The seam is
completely intact and the brass tip is present and
solidly attached.
The bayonet is
well struck with a strong, legible
“US”, and is overall bright. The socket area is generally
smooth and the locking ring moves smoothly. The blade has
some scattered areas of
surface darkening, evidence of its age, but has no heavy
pitting or nicks and is overall bright, being
considerably brighter than shows in the photographs due
to reflections.
The bulk of
the bayonet scabbards made during the war were
manufactured by civilian contractors, and these
scabbards manufactured within the US Army’s Ordnance
Department arsenal system are comparatively rare today,
surviving in much lower numbers, particularly in this
very nice condition. Combined with an attractive,
presentable bayonet, this set would make a nice addition
to display with a nice M1855 or M1861 Springfield Rifle
Musket. (0311) $525
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