Naval knife bayonet and scabbard

1862

Place madeChicopee, Massachusetts, United States, North America

Steel, brass, walnut, leather

Overall: 17 1/4 × 4 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (43.8 × 12.1 × 3.2 cm)

Gift of Miss Louise S. Cox

1962.80ab

The knife pattern bayonet, introduced by U.S. Navy Admiral John A. Dahlgren in 1861, "brought forth an entirely new concept in American bayonet design," according to A. N. Hardin, Jr. ("The American Bayonet, 1776-194," p. 150). This specimen, manufactured in 1862, represents a variation of the 1861 model.

DescriptionKnife bayonet with straight, single-edged steel blade with clipped point; brass guard with disk finials, back strap with full-length channel, and flat pommel cast in one piece; walnut grip with carved finger grooves; leather scabbard with brass throat with circular frog stud and brass tip.

Markingsstamped: on ricasso, obverse of blade: "U.S.N. / DR / 1862" stamped: on ricasso, reverse of blade: "AMES MFG Co / CHICO . . ."

ClassificationsMILITARY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: SWORD