In his book “AMERICAN SOCKET BAYONETS AND SCABBARDS” on page 165 of the 1990 second edition author Robert M. Reilly states that this scabbard is an experimental item probably produced sometime in the 1840’s or 50’s. As evidence of this he cites the finish on the collar and tab as being consistent with that used on early militia scabbards and that the brass suspension system was meant for use with a shoulder sling. The use of a separate shoulder sling for the bayonet and scabbard was discontinued in the mid-19^th century.

The leather body of the scabbard and the brass finial are the same as the standard Model 1855 socket bayonet scabbard. The frog is a little different in shape but attached by sewing only and no rivets like early war scabbards. Attached to one side of the frog is a square brass plate with one central slider and two smaller brass “arms.”

The leather is slightly worn with some minor surface finish loss but the stitching is all tight. There is also some slight dryness in areas.

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

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’.