This is a classic Civil War infantry combination: a U.S. Model 1855 socket bayonet paired with a correct black leather scabbard of the 1863 pattern, the type carried by thousands of Union soldiers with the Springfield rifle musket. The bayonet was adopted with the .58 caliber rifle musket and remained standard through the war. Its triangular blade and locking-ring socket are the defining features of the Federal infantryman’s bayonet.

The bayonet has the standard triangular blade with fullered faces and is stamped “US” near the ricasso with a small “S” inspector’s initial. The socket is complete with its locking ring and mortise slot intact. The metal has a pleasing, untouched pewter-gray patina. There is light surface freckling, fine handling marks, and small scattered spots of old discoloration along the blade, but no significant pitting. The blade is straight and the point is intact. The socket is smooth and the locking ring is present and undamaged.

The scabbard is blackened leather with a stitched seam running along the back, a brass tip with its original ball finial, and a large leather frog attached with 7 copper rivets. The leather shows typical age crazing and checking throughout the body. There is some finish loss and light flaking along the edges and seam, and minor wrinkling near the brass tip. The leather remains firm and complete, with no tears or missing sections. The stitching is intact and the seam is closed. The brass tip is secure, with a mellow, unpolished patina and only minor dents. The frog is complete and solidly attached, with expected edge wear and scuffing from use. All rivets are present. There are traces of a maker’s stamp on both sides of the frog.

From the former “Old Stone House Museum” in Windsor, NY and having original blue paper tag# SHM E-6 on the socket. Overall, this is a solid, honest example of the bayonet-and-scabbard set that defined the Union infantryman’s kit. It would display well with a rifle musket or a federal accoutrement grouping.

Dimensions (approximate):

Bayonet overall length: 21"

Blade length: 18"

Socket length: 3"

Scabbard length (body to tip of ball finial): 19"

Brass tip length: 3"

Frog height: 5½"      [stp][ph:L]

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