Identify this sword ?

[Viper21]

Is this an authentic sword or a replica..? I honestly have no idea. I am very ignorant to sabers, swords, etc....

Thanks for any input.

 

[AndyHall]

That's actually a bayonet. (And that's the limit of my knowledge.)

 

[E_just_E]

That's actually a bayonet. (And that's the limit of my knowledge.)

Enfield bayonet as a matter of fact, indeed. That "53" you see signifies that it is for the "pattern 1853 riffled musket"

To the OP: Swords are at least as long as the distance from your elbow to your fingertips. Anything shorter is a dagger or a bayonet (which is a dagger, with a loop that one could attach to the end of a firearm to effectively make a spear.)

 

[AndyHall]

Swords are at least as long as the distance from your elbow to your fingertips. Anything shorter is a dagger or a bayonet.

I met a collector once who owned a midshipman's dirk from a well-known 19th century naval officer, and absolutely could not convince him that it wasn't a "sword." Ugh.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

It's a saber bayonet for one of the short rifles in the P1853 rifle-musket family. IIRC there are 3 variant bayonets for these, generally belonging to the P1856, P1856 type 2 "Bar-on-Band", and the P1858/60/61 rifles. Post a photo of the mortise where the bayonet lug fits and it will greatly aid in getting an accurate ID.

Cheers,
Garrett

 

[johan_steele]

At first glance it is a saber bayonet for the P56/60 series rifle & I believe it to be either a post ACW or a badly abused repop. But the pic via my phone aren't that great.

Other more knowledgeable folks might chime in with better info.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The numbers on the cross guard are numbers to match the original rifle which was match numbered to the bayonet. The bayonet model is known as the "P-56", which means it is for the British Pattern 1856 series of Rifles. I do not recognize the manufacturers mark on the blade. I am not able to access my reference library at this time, so perhaps someone else will be able to identify the mark on the ricasso.
J.

 

[Viper21]

Enfield bayonet as a matter of fact, indeed. That "53" you see signifies that it is for the "pattern 1853 riffled musket"

To the OP: Swords are at least as long as the distance from your elbow to your fingertips. Anything shorter is a dagger or a bayonet (which is a dagger, with a loop that one could attach to the end of a firearm to effectively make a spear.)

I figured it was also a bayonet because of the attachment. However, it's pretty darn long. Much longer than elbow to fingertip. The blade is 23" from tip to base.

 

[Viper21]

It's a saber bayonet for one of the short rifles in the P1853 rifle-musket family. IIRC there are 3 variant bayonets for these, generally belonging to the P1856, P1856 type 2 "Bar-on-Band", and the P1858/60/61 rifles. Post a photo of the mortise where the bayonet lug fits and it will greatly aid in getting an accurate ID.

Cheers,
Garrett

Does this photo help..?

 

[Cumpston1862]

Taken from the Gettysburg sutler Regimental Quartermaster website an image of soldiers holding Enfield rifled muskets with bayonets attached.

 

[AndyHall]

However, it's pretty darn long. Much longer than elbow to fingertip.

Bayonets were more effective for intimidating the enemy, so it's all good.

 

[Viper21]

Taken from the Gettysburg sutler Regimental Quartermaster website an image of soldiers holding Enfield rifled muskets with bayonets attached.

Awesome pic. The bayonets pictured sure look very similar to mine...!