British Yatagan Style Bayonet ?

[zwerge]

There are no marks at all on it,the blade is 17.75 inches,OAL is 23.5 inches,inside diameter of ring is 1 inch,any help appreciated.

[SAVAGE]

It looks to be a British or Canadian P1856 or 1860 model bayonet. They were issued for the Snider carbine and short artillery rifles. To see if it is pre-1865, take a coin the size of an American penny and see if you can push it through the socket loop. If it fits...it is pre-1865. How? The diameter of the rifles changed making the newer bayonet sockets smaller.

[ph3s]

most likely one of those, from Crimean period

Volunteer Infantry Sword Bayonet.

In 1859 the War department authorised the raising of volunteer units, which had to provide their own equipment. Many used Surplus equipment including the early 1853's. The later model sword bayonets were still needed by the military and so Volunteer models were ordered from the manufacturers. These had many variations over the official models, with brass cross guards, or straight blades, heavier blades etc. They will all however be devoid of military acceptance marks. Many of these blades were made by German manufacturers so Solingen marks are common. Hand fitting of these blades made them non interchangeable.

A small version was made probably for a cadet school or similar. While a 10" longer bladed version with a double muzzle ring is also reported possibly as a prototype.

UK Bayonets By year (non Socket).

[zwerge]

It looks to be a British or Canadian P1856 or 1860 model bayonet. They were issued for the Snider carbine and short artillery rifles. To see if it is pre-1865, take a coin the size of an American penny and see if you can push it through the socket loop. If it fits...it is pre-1865. How? The diameter of the rifles changed making the newer bayonet sockets smaller.

Well it`s a one inch hole so a penny easily fits in it,thanks.

[lithgow]

If there's no markings then it's probably a Volunteer pattern-semi official private purchase for 'territorial' units raised in the mid 19th century after the Russian/Crimea and Indian Mutiny campaign scares-looks to have been modified but many were over the long service history of the yataghan type.

[zwerge]

If there's no markings then it's probably a Volunteer pattern-semi official private purchase for 'territorial' units raised in the mid 19th century after the Russian/Crimea and Indian Mutiny campaign scares-looks to have been modified but many were over the long service history of the yataghan type.

Thanks Lithgow,I believe that is what it is.