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EARLY WHITE BUFF LEATHER BELT LOOP BAYONET
SCABBARD WITH A MODEL 1816 BAYONET – VERY RARE SCABBARD
IN EXCELLENT CONDITION: The earliest pattern of
bayonet scabbard adopted by the US Army that was
intended to be worn on a waist belt as opposed to a
cross-shoulder belt, this Scabbard with a White Buff
Leather Belt Loop is in exceptional condition, and is
complete with a very nice Model 1816 Bayonet.
Introduced prior to the Mexican War, this scabbard
served to carry the Models 1816 and 1835 Bayonets, and
quite probably the bayonets for the Hall Rifles.
That any of these white buff accoutrements survived in
their original color is quite remarkable. In 1851, the
Ordnance Department ordered that all the white buff
leather be dyed black. While certain units such as the
1ST and 2ND Dragoons vehemently
opposed the order and prolonged the use of their buff
leather accoutrements in the original white for as long
as the supply on hand lasted, the majority of the army
bowed to the order and the white buff leather
disappeared under a coating of black dye. Never
particularly common on the collector’s market, these
white buff accoutrements have all but disappeared into
collections and seldom surface. Of those seen, belts,
sabre knots and on occasion, rifle and cartridge box
slings appear to survive in better condition, probably
because their shape or configuration was more conducive
to storage. Bayonet scabbards by their very nature,
particularly without the bayonet to support the blade
tube, are prone to being flexed and eventually broken,
and the seam on the rear of the tube and the method in
which the brass tip was attached was at best, less than
durable.
Apparently well cared for through the years, this
scabbard has survived the passage of time in exceptional
condition, and having escaped having the belt loop being
dyed black, this scabbard with the original white buff
belt loop is a rare offering.
The scabbard frog is supple and complete, with no breaks
or weak spots and has an even, buff colored surface.
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 excellent and stable with
a minimum of surface flexing, but no flaking. The seam
is completely intact and the brass tip is present and
solidly attached.
The Model 1816 Bayonet is in its original configuration,
as issued with the Model 1816 Flintlock Musket, and is
in very good condition. Showing evidence of having been
issued, the socket is stamped with two sets of unit
inventory numbers. The bayonet is overall bright, with
a smooth surface, and sharp clean edges on the blade,
free of dings or nicks. There are scattered points of
discoloration on the surface of the metal as the result
of handling and age, however no significant pitting or
erosion of the metal due to corrosion. The 16 5/8” long
blade is legibly marked “US” and with the inspector’s
initials as can be seen in the photos below.
These early White Buff Scabbards are rare in their own
right, and finding a specimen in this condition with an
attractive, presentable bayonet is worthy of note. This
set would be a significant addition to your early musket
or rifle, and the scabbard could be nicely displayed
with the full range of bayonets that it was intended to
carry.
SOLD
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