Just informed another seller on Ebay that they were portraying a POST CIVIL WAR Martini Henry breach loader bayonet as being for the Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket. I think there are many out there who disagree or don't know the difference Want to make sure everyone on this forum knows the differences:
P53 blade 4+ inches shorter; P53 is flared away from the muzzle area to allow room for loading when fixed, Martini Henry is straight down the barrel; cross section of Martini Henry bayonet is equal sided (equilateral triangle), the P53 cross section has two shorter sides (isosceles triangle).
Most obvious differences are with the scabbards: Martini Henry has a steel spline riveted inside it to help support the 21+ inch blade, and the scabbard was designed to bend at the juncture of the brass tip to allow for stooping and carrying such a long blade at the waste.
P53 blade 4+ inches shorter; P53 is flared away from the muzzle area to allow room for loading when fixed, Martini Henry is straight down the barrel; cross section of Martini Henry bayonet is equal sided (equilateral triangle), the P53 cross section has two shorter sides (isosceles triangle).
Most obvious differences are with the scabbards: Martini Henry has a steel spline riveted inside it to help support the 21+ inch blade, and the scabbard was designed to bend at the juncture of the brass tip to allow for stooping and carrying such a long blade at the waste.