Bayonet Identification

tms309 · 12-28-2011, 09:16 AM

Hello there.

We are new to the forum and wondered if someone might be able to help. My father has had an old bayonet that he acquired a long time ago, but does not know much about it. We thought you folks would be the experts, so we thought perhaps if we describe it and post a picture someone might be willing to assist us in at least identifying a time period or other information.

Based upon what little we've read, it appears to be a socket type (although please correct if we are wrong). The total length of the bayonet is just over 21 inches (socket included). The blade length is about 18 inches.

Pictures attached.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

BobMcG · 12-28-2011, 09:40 AM

Quite likely it's one of THESE bayonets from a Springfield rifle (trapdoor).

tms309 · 12-29-2011, 02:28 PM

Thank you so much! Your response was very helpful. You've just helped to resolve a very long mystery for us. We are most grateful. My father will be very pleased to read more about this. Thanks a ton!

BobMcG · 12-29-2011, 05:13 PM

You're welcome, glad to have been of help.

I've been a customer of Keith's for years and he and his site are good sources for information on the old Springfield rifles and equipment used with them. If you have questions, you can ask him or buy a book off of him on the subject.

stede · 12-29-2011, 06:27 PM

Actually, this bayonet is not for the Springfield. It's the M1871 for the Remington rolling-block rifle, which was manufactured for the New York Militia and multiple foreign contracts. The unusual mortise slot and lack of US markings are distinctive and identify it as the Remington...

BobMcG · 12-29-2011, 07:20 PM

Wow. Better eyes than me. I thought lack of US looked like it could be picture quality.

Looked too much like this one to me.

stede · 12-29-2011, 08:20 PM

Bob, they're very similar with a couple of differences. #1- the depth of the first mortise section, and 2- the Springfield has angular 'coffin' shoulders lacking on the M1871.
Pardon my amateur PaintShop of your photo!

BobMcG · 12-30-2011, 12:17 AM

Thanks, nice to know. Learn something new everyday.

(The reason I thought it was quite likely a Springfield bayonet, as I wasn't 100% positive.)

tms309 · 12-30-2011, 08:15 AM

Wow. I'm very impressed. This is incredibly helpful. Thanks so much!

JLA · 12-31-2011, 11:13 AM

Stede, your paintshop skillz are as mad as my own..

12-28-2011, 09:40 AM	#2
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Bayonet Identification Quite likely it's one of THESE bayonets from a Springfield rifle (trapdoor).

12-29-2011, 02:28 PM	#3
tms309 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Bayonet Identification Thank you so much! Your response was very helpful. You've just helped to resolve a very long mystery for us. We are most grateful. My father will be very pleased to read more about this. Thanks a ton!

12-29-2011, 05:13 PM	#4
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Bayonet Identification You're welcome, glad to have been of help. I've been a customer of Keith's for years and he and his site are good sources for information on the old Springfield rifles and equipment used with them. If you have questions, you can ask him or buy a book off of him on the subject.

12-29-2011, 06:27 PM	#5
stede V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 92	Re: Bayonet Identification Actually, this bayonet is not for the Springfield. It's the M1871 for the Remington rolling-block rifle, which was manufactured for the New York Militia and multiple foreign contracts. The unusual mortise slot and lack of US markings are distinctive and identify it as the Remington...

12-29-2011, 07:20 PM	#6
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Bayonet Identification Wow. Better eyes than me. I thought lack of US looked like it could be picture quality. Looked too much like this one to me. Attached Images

12-28-2011, 09:16 AM	#1
tms309 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3	Bayonet Identification Hello there. We are new to the forum and wondered if someone might be able to help. My father has had an old bayonet that he acquired a long time ago, but does not know much about it. We thought you folks would be the experts, so we thought perhaps if we describe it and post a picture someone might be willing to assist us in at least identifying a time period or other information. Based upon what little we've read, it appears to be a socket type (although please correct if we are wrong). The total length of the bayonet is just over 21 inches (socket included). The blade length is about 18 inches. Pictures attached. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Attached Images -->

12-29-2011, 08:20 PM	#7
stede V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 92	Re: Bayonet Identification Bob, they're very similar with a couple of differences. #1- the depth of the first mortise section, and 2- the Springfield has angular 'coffin' shoulders lacking on the M1871. Pardon my amateur PaintShop of your photo! Attached Images

12-30-2011, 12:17 AM	#8
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Bayonet Identification Thanks, nice to know. Learn something new everyday. (The reason I thought it was quite likely a Springfield bayonet, as I wasn't 100% positive.)

12-30-2011, 08:15 AM	#9
tms309 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Bayonet Identification Wow. I'm very impressed. This is incredibly helpful. Thanks so much!

12-31-2011, 11:13 AM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,280	Re: Bayonet Identification Stede, your paintshop skillz are as mad as my own.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!