In 1861 Colt reached an agreement with the government to purchase Model 1841 rifles at $10.00 each, alter them to .58 caliber, fit them with sword bayonets, and then sell them back to the government for $18.50 each. From February through June 1862 Colt sold 10,400 of these altered guns, plus a very few in November 1861, back to the U.S. government. The bayonets were fitted to the rifle by use of a simple split-ring adapter with lug mounted on the barrel. The bayonets were ordered from Collins and Company, but were not marked with the firm name. As is correct, ours has just a date, 1862, and a mating number of 10206 on flat of the grip, which would be matched by number stamped on the bayonet lug and barrel of the altered rifle since there was final hand finishing and fitting involved.

The brass hilt has a mellow, aged patina with moderate dings on the reverse of the grip and guard, and scratches on the top flat. The locking spring and button are intact and functional. The blade shows mostly brown with a few gray areas, but is smooth metal, not pitted, and shows an edge with several very small nicks or chips and a good point.

A good example of this bayonet for the Colt altered Mississippi that saw service in both the eastern and western theatres: some 5,000 were shipped to the St. Louis Arsenal in May 1862.  [ad]

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