Socket bayonet for use on the Sharps 1863 "New Model" military breech loading rifle. This is a rarity, by any definition, with only a handful of known examples surviving.

Approximately 10,600 Sharps 1863 and 1865 rifles were delivered to the U.S. Government during the Civil War. There were two different socket bayonets produced for these rifles: a M1855 style socket bayonet made by Collins & Co., and what is known as the "Drake Pattern" socket bayonet, of which this is an example.

The following correspondence with socket bayonet specialist, Pierre Renoux, documents it’s authenticity: "I've received your pics and dimensions and I can only confirm what you already thought. Your bayonet is definitely a Sharps model 1865 (sometimes called second type) of the Drake pattern.

I checked the dimensions of mine and they are matching with yours.  As my bayonet is sure a Sharps, expertized by the late Bob Reilly and Dick Marsden when I bought it in the States, yours is too. 

Another specific point for stating it's a Sharps is the location of the stop stud on the socket, not 90 [degrees] of the shank, but ca. 140 [degrees], and it's obvious on your picts.

Be a happy man, it's certainly a scarce CW bayonet."

Socket bayonet for use on the .45-70 Caliber U.S. Rifle M1873 (Trapdoor Springfield).

The beautiful high-polish blue finish illustrates the painstaking workmanship exhibited on these rifles and bayonets.

Leather scabbard hanger is for a 1.5 inch belt and was made at Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, NY.

The scabbard is attached to the leather hanger by two small tabs, one of which is riveted to the leather.  According to Reilly, this is indicative that this scabbard was made prior to the riveted tab being phased out in the early 1880s.

Socket bayonet for use on the .45-70 Caliber U.S. Cadet Rifle M1873 (Trapdoor Springfield).  This bayonet is a scaled-down version of the issue M1873 socket bayonet.

The cadet rifle was shorter than the standard M1873 infantry rifle, since its primary use was for drilling.  However, the cadet rifle was made to the same standards as it's full-sized cousin and was every bit as accurate and lethal.

There were approximately 22,000 cadet rifles produced during the 20-year service life of the M1873.

Knife bayonet for use on the .30 Government Caliber U.S. Magazine Rifle M1898 (.30-40 Caliber Krag-Jorgenson) and variations. The "Krag" was the U.S. Army's first repeating rifle.

The M1892 bayonet was based on the Swiss M1889 bayonet, made for use on the 7.5 mm. M1889 Schmidt-Rubin straight-pull bolt-action rifle.

This is an early example, made in 1895 at Springfield Armory.  It has been arsenal overhauled during or after 1899, as evidenced by the rough grips held by domed rivets.  Pre-1899, the grips were sanded smooth and the rivets flush. The "US" ricasso marking was nearly obliterated by the polishing done during arsenal rework.

I obtained this piece from an older gentleman in Benecia, CA. He indicated that it had been his dad's.  His home, which I visited, was approximately 1 mile from the old Benecia Arsenal. He indicated that a relative had worked at the Arsenal. It has been documented that Krag rifles were overhauled at Benecia Arsenal.

The condition of this example is exceptional, with bright metal and no rust or staining. The blade still had cosmoline on it when I obtained the piece.