During the American Civil War, well over 1,000,000 US Model 1855 .58 Caliber Socket Bayonets were produced by the Springfield Armory and some two-dozen contractors. The large majority of these bayonets bear no distinguishing markings that allow today’s collectors to determine what company manufactured them.

This is a socket bayonet manufactured - or modified - from the period of 1855 to about 1872; it was the predecessor to the US Model 1873 "Trapdoor" Springfield 45-70 series bayonets. The Model 1855 saw action in the Civil War and probably more of these were used than all other bayonets of the period combined. They are typically American in design in that they do not have a blade "shoulder" and have deep fullers, whereas British bayonets of the period had a shoulder and had shallow fullers that stopped at the shoulder of the blade.

These are attached by fitting them over the barrel muzzle, and fastened into position by means of a mortise slot and locking ring. All metal construction.

These were designed to fit the various US manufactured .58 muskets, and the 50-70 Springfield "Trapdoor" Rifles prior to 1873.

Blade length is about 18" and muzzle ring diameter is 0.781" (internal); socket length is 3".

The flat is stamped “US”. Locking ring is present but a little loose. No scabbard.

All metal surfaces have a darkened patina with some surface rust and scattered small pockets of pinpoint surface pitting. Blade has some slight chips on edge.

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