This bayonet for the British P53 Rifle Musket is in wonderful condition with lots of original blue on the socket and on the blade as well. The socket bears a small “C” over a “139,” likely a company letter and rack number. The blade shows a partial maker mark at the base, but no British military markings, indicating it was a commercial product. The blue on the socket is medium in tone and lustrous. The blade shows it, but much thinner from rubbing in the scabbard when drawn and sheathed. The blade shows a few tiny age spots near the base.

The black leather scabbard is in excellent condition, with nice color and finish, and no bends or breaks. The scabbard is secured in the belt frog by the usual British method of a short leather cross strap and buckle. The brass buckle, British style drag, and throat with frog stud, are all firmly in place and have a medium tone.

The frog is black bridle leather, oxidizing slightly toward brown and assembled by stitching alone, with no rivets. The belt loop and pocket are firm. The reverse of the frog has an owner’s name incised in the leather twice lengthwise in script that seems to be “Gill.” There is also a small, impressed crosswise stamp in the leather that the vast majority of us here in the office read as “BH & C 20,” but which one holdout thinks is “SH&G CO,” indicating it came through Schuyler, Hartley and Graham of New York, pointing out that their 1864 catalog lists Enfield rifles and rifle muskets, both with appropriate bayonets (pages 128-129.)

This is an exceptionally nice P53 bayonet rig that would nicely complete a high-finish Enfield rifle musket.  [sr]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!