Collection Rare Confederate bayonet

[Ralph Heinz]

Several years ago, I successfully bid on a bayonet listed simply as "Confederate bayonet." If you have a copy of The English Connection, turn to page 197 which shows a bayonet with a set of tiny numbers (1131) stamped on the rear of the top surface. It was identified with a P53 Louisiana Enfield rifle with tiny numbers (1162) stamped on the heel of the butt plate and which is further identified by stamped Louisiana markings (a hexagram with a block letter "L") stamped twice on the belly of the stock.

Quoting the book "The meaning of these numerals is unknown, but it may be that a number of the Louisiana arms purchased were part of a separate contract that called for the numbering of the weapons. No other arm, central government or state, has been seen marked in this specific manner."

The number on my bayonet is 512 (about 7/64" high) and has a distinctive "1"stamped exactly like the bayonet on page 197 and is of the same small size. I sent detailed photos of the bayonet to Paul Johnson who identified it as a Confederate made copy of an Enfield bayonet. Johnson wrote a series of major articles on Confederate bayonets for North South Trader's Civil War starting in 2013. This bayonet was not made in England.

The photos show distinctive features of Confederate manufacture: the face and side fullers on the blade are off center; the mortise through the bridge for the sight is off center and hand filed to fit a particular rifle's front sight; the screw is off center; and there are rough edges on the blade about 6" from the end. In addition, the rear surface has a capitol letter "L" and "A" stamped into it along with several filed lines. The muzzle bore is .772." The blade is .820"wide at the rear. The socket length is 3.02." Muzzle to stud length is 1.20." Overall length is 20 7/8." Johnson listed two possible makers: Bayne, Stebbins & Co., and S.S. Arnold'

 

[scooter748driver]

Wow! Very nice! What a great find!

 

[UCVRelics]

Very Nice and RARE bayo. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Ralph Heinz]

Several years ago, I successfully bid on a bayonet listed simply as "Confederate bayonet." If you have a copy of The English Connection, turn to page 197 which shows a bayonet with a set of tiny numbers (1131) stamped on the rear of the top surface. It was identified with a P53 Louisiana Enfield rifle with tiny numbers (1162) stamped on the heel of the butt plate and which is further identified by stamped Louisiana markings (a hexagram with a block letter "L") stamped twice on the belly of the stock.

Quoting the book "The meaning of these numerals is unknown, but it may be that a number of the Louisiana arms purchased were part of a separate contract that called for the numbering of the weapons. No other arm, central government or state, has been seen marked in this specific manner."

The number on my bayonet is 512 (about 7/64" high) and has a distinctive "1"stamped exactly like the bayonet on page 197 and is of the same small size. I sent detailed photos of the bayonet to Paul Johnson who identified it as a Confederate made copy of an Enfield bayonet. Johnson wrote a series of major articles on Confederate bayonets for North South Trader's Civil War starting in 2013. This bayonet was not made in England.

The photos show distinctive features of Confederate manufacture: the face and side fullers on the blade are off center; the mortise through the bridge for the sight is off center and hand filed to fit a particular rifle's front sight; the screw is off center; and there are rough edges on the blade about 6" from the end. In addition, the rear surface has a capitol letter "L" and "A" stamped into it along with several filed lines. The muzzle bore is .772." The blade is .820"wide at the rear. The socket length is 3.02." Muzzle to stud length is 1.20." Overall length is 20 7/8." Johnson listed two possible makers: Bayne, Stebbins & Co., and S.S. Arnold'


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Very Nice and RARE bayo. Thanks for sharing it.

I should have added that the scabbard is definitely an English import and not made by the Confederacy, but the leather frog is hand made.

 

[UCVRelics]

I should have added that the scabbard is definitely an English import and not made by the Confederacy, but the leather frog is hand made.

The scabbard and tip screams Enfield as I have dug many of them back in the Good Old Days.

 

[lelliott19]

I should have added that the scabbard is definitely an English import and not made by the Confederacy, but the leather frog is hand made.

Wow! That's an amazing piece and a great story! Did the Confederacy import extra scabbards - like empty ones? Or do you think the scabbard was matched up to the bayonet later just so it would have one? Do you think the frog is original? Or do you think someone made it much later? Just so there would be one to go with it? Could you show a photo of the frog front and back? without the scabbard in it?

 

[captaindrew]

Wow! That's an amazing piece and a great story! Did the Confederacy import extra scabbards - like empty ones? Or do you think the scabbard was matched up to the bayonet later just so it would have one? Do you think the frog is original? Or do you think someone made it much later? Just so there would be one to go with it? Could you show a photo of the frog front and back? without the scabbard in it?

I believe the scabbards usually came as an acoutrament set not with the bayonet and gun. The scabbard, cartridge box, cap box, and waist belt came together.

 

[lelliott19]

I believe the scabbards usually came as an acoutrament set not with the bayonet and gun. The scabbard, cartridge box, cap box, and waist belt came together.

Ahhh. That makes sense. The only regimental requisitions I have studied enough to discuss intelligently are the ones for my regiment. Many of the companies received 2 band short Enfields (P60 or P56) and had to requisition the equivalent number of sabre bayonets to go with the rifles. The requisition forms specifically list frogs but not scabbards --- so I just assumed the scabbards came with the sabre bayonets. Maybe that was just the 2 bands and sabre bayonets?

 

[JOHN42768]

Very nice bayonet

 

[gjpratt]

It sure whistles Dixie. Great acquisition.

 

[OldSarge79]

Johnson wrote a series of major articles on Confederate bayonets for North South Trader's Civil War starting in 2013.

I am actively looking for good reference books on Confederate bayonets. What I have found out there thus far seems to be a bit spotty and piecemeal. Can you advise which issues of NSCWT Magazine have those articles?

 

[Ralph Heinz]

I am actively looking for good reference books on Confederate bayonets. What I have found out there thus far seems to be a bit spotty and piecemeal. Can you advise which issues of NSCWT Magazine have those articles?

British Imports Vol. 37, No 4; Austrian and Belgian Bayonets Vol. 37, No 6; Confederate Socket Bayonets Vol. 38, No 4; Confederate Sabre Bayonets Vol. 39, No 4; and also, US Bayonets Vol. 37, No. 2.

You can find their web site North South Trader's Civil War online and they list back issues which you can order. These articles are excellent, but Johnson wrote that he had to somewhat limit what he showed and listed. They are still eye-openers as to the many variations and tell-tale things to look for in identifying Confederate bayonets.

 

[OldSarge79]

Excellent! Much obliged.

 

[Ralph Heinz]

Wow! That's an amazing piece and a great story! Did the Confederacy import extra scabbards - like empty ones? Or do you think the scabbard was matched up to the bayonet later just so it would have one? Do you think the frog is original? Or do you think someone made it much later? Just so there would be one to go with it? Could you show a photo of the frog front and back? without the scabbard in it?

The frog fits so tight I might damage the leather scabbard trying to get it off. Go to Barry and Burt's Suppliers To The Confederacy Vol. I, page 138 for a non-typical leather frog on an Enfield scabbard. It shows a lot of use but is of simple construction and is clearly not an English import. Go to their Vol. II to pages 89 - 92 for variations of issued P. 1854 frogs. In the same Vol. on page 157 is a Confederate copy that is close to an English made frog. Then look at the crude copy of a British cap pouch on page 156 which suggests that with a need to supply Confederate troops with essential items like cap pouches and frogs it led to many locally made leather items of much simpler design. That helped fill the need for thousands of similar items without waiting for imports to arrive (if ever) and be distributed. All sorts of leather items were made locally in the South like revolver holsters that are of different design than Yankee ones.

The scabbard is the second type, but I haven't been around for the last 160 years to know if it has always been with this bayonet.

 

[Package4]

The frog fits so tight I might damage the leather scabbard trying to get it off. Go to Barry and Burt's Suppliers To The Confederacy Vol. I, page 138 for a non-typical leather frog on an Enfield scabbard. It shows a lot of use but is of simple construction and is clearly not an English import. Go to their Vol. II to pages 89 - 92 for variations of issued P. 1854 frogs. In the same Vol. on page 157 is a Confederate copy that is close to an English made frog. Then look at the crude copy of a British cap pouch on page 156 which suggests that with a need to supply Confederate troops with essential items like cap pouches and frogs it led to many locally made leather items of much simpler design. That helped fill the need for thousands of similar items without waiting for imports to arrive (if ever) and be distributed. All sorts of leather items were made locally in the South like revolver holsters that are of different design than Yankee ones.

The scabbard is the second type, but I haven't been around for the last 160 years to know if it has always been with this bayonet.

Ralph, I just saw your post, where have you been, hope all is well, I miss your informative work!

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

This is why good research books are worth their weight in gold! Beautiful bayonet. Thanks for sharing!