3072

Rare Saber Bayonet for Merrill Breech-loading Percussion Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:325.00 USD Estimated At:850.00 - 1,300.00 USD
Rare Saber Bayonet for Merrill Breech-loading Percussion Rifle

Estimate: $850 - 1300
Civil War saber bayonet with cast brass, bird's head hilt and bright 25 1/2-inch blade. The blade has a spear point and shallow, un-stopped, fuller. The reverse ricasso is dated "1862". The brass hilt has a forward curving lower guard with disc-shaped final. The upper guard has a .890 bore. The grip has a square-ended stud groove. The back strap is hand-stamped with the serial number "8923". The bayonet is accompanied by a scabbard with black leather body and brass throat with round-head frog stud. The scabbard is missing the brass tip. The Ordnance Department purchased 770 Merrill breech-loading rifles with saber bayonets between 1862 and 1865. This rare bayonet is illustrated and described on page 123 of "THE AMERICAN BAYONET 1776-1964" by A.N. Harden. The description notes that this bayonet also fits the Model 1841 Mississippi Rifles modified to accept a saber bayonet.
BBL: n/a
Stock: n/a
Gauge: N/A
Finish: bright
Grips: brass
Serial Number: 9823
Condition: Good-very good. The blade has not been cleaned and retains about 60% of the original finish. The blade has a silver-gray patina with several small patches of pitting mid-way between the tip and the guard. The hilt has light handling and storage marks but remains in good-very good condition. The scabbard is missing the brass tip and the leather body has scattered cracks and flaking. This is a good example of a rarely encountered Civil War saber bayonet.
More Information