Very unique hooked Civil War Socket Bayonet, dug at Winchester Battlefield

This is another nice piece being offered; it is an excavated Civil War socket bayonet. The top was heated and bent into the shape of a curved hook.  It was recovered years ago from the Winchester, Virginia Battlefield.

Winchester was a strategic prize of great importance during the Civil War. In Confederate hands, on excellent roads to the north and east, it was a serious threat to the supply lines of the Union armies trying to reach Richmond – the heart of the Confederacy. In the hands of the Union army, Winchester made Confederate raids and risky invasion of the north and opened a protected avenue for Union troop movements south through a valley from which they could attack on the flanks and rear of Lee’s main armies.

Thus, Winchester and Frederick County became the scene of six battles during the Civil War, and the city itself changed flags around seventy times during the four-year conflict; it is said thirteen times in one day. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson demonstrated his military leadership in the Valley Campaign. Winchester was familiar to him not only as a military objective, but also as his home during the winter of 1861-1862. Here he enjoyed the companionship of his wife for the last winter together.

Quite often these bayonets are referred to as “Body Hooks”, which were used for burials, but I believe in this case, and judging by the condition, it was used around the campfire. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I show an example of one of these bayonets (see pictures).

This bayonet is very unique, it is the first I’ve seen with this unusual curve, most have just one straight bend. It has overall rust but has been coated with varnish and is now solid and in nice condition.  It would make a great addition to any Civil War collection.