Revolutionary War Socket Bayonet with leather scabbard (ON HOLD)

This is another early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 artifacts. Being offered is a Revolutionary War socket bayonet with leather scabbard. The overall length is 18”, the socket has a .82” diameter, and the widest part of the blade is .91”. The overall length of the hand-sewn leather scabbard is 16”. There is no brass or metal scabbard tip, as was typical of many early scabbards.

The bayonet is in nice condition with slight surface rust and some nicks on the blade, but no chipping or flaking. There is a black number “26” marking on it, which was probably an inventory or museum number. In "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution", by Neumann & Kravic, there are similar bayonets shown (see pictures).

This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, diggers, closed museums, and from lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with any known provenance.

This is the first time this bayonet has been on the open market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History. It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum. As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included.