This is a FINE condition example of the US Model 1835 “Replacement” Socket Bayonet, which is sometimes referred to as the “US Model 1842” bayonet, although no such US socket bayonet ever actually existed. The US Model 1835 socket bayonet was the first US socket bayonet to incorporate a locking ring to ensure that it remained firmly attached to the gun it was fixed upon. The bayonet was an almost direct copy of the French Model 1822 socket bayonet. The bayonet was designed for what would be the last of the US flintlock muskets, the Model 1840 which sometimes referred to as the Model 1835/40 for although it was first proposed in 1835 through a series of minor developmental changes it was not officially adopted until 1840. These bayonets continued in use through the production run of the first US percussion musket and first interchangeable parts musket, the Model 1842. The Model 1835 bayonet remained in production until the end of Model 1842 musket production in 1855. The bayonet featured an 18” triangular blade with a nearly full-length face flute, with the sharply scalloped shoulders that were typical of the earlier 1816/22/27 series of socket bayonets. The socket was mortised for a bottom stud and was sized for US .69 musket barrels. 

After 1855 and the adoption of the new, US Model 1855 .58 Socket Bayonet for use with the new Model 1855 Rifle Musket, a new blade form was introduced to the US military. The new 18” blade had gently tapered shoulders, rather than the sharply scalloped shoulders found on US bayonets from the 1790s until the  mid-1850s. With the new blade pattern adopted, all subsequent order for US Model 1835 bayonets incorporated the new blade design. This served two primary purposes. First, only one type of bayonet blade had to be forged by the national arsenals and contractors, whether for the new .58 rifles muskets or the older .69 caliber muskets. Additionally, this allowed either bayonet to use the current issue Pattern of 1857 bayonet scabbard. While modern collectors often refer to these tapered shoulder .69 caliber socket bayonets as the “Model 1842” bayonet, the actual Ordnance Department designation was actually US Model 1835 Replacement Bayonet.

This bayonet is in FINE condition and has a very clear, and deep U.S. stamp on the face of the blade. The blade is full-length and the original locking ring in place, complete, and fully functional. The blade has a smooth, bright patina and retains much of the original arsenal bright polish. The metal shows some lightly scattered oxidized freckling along the entire blade, which is really quite minor on the face of the blade and might well clean off with a little effort. The rear of the blade has somewhat more of the oxidized discoloration and freckling present. The blade and socket also show some very minor age discoloration here and there on the blade. The blade is almost entirely smooth and shows no pitting to speak of. The socket has nearly the same coloration and patina as the blade. The socket also shows some lightly scattered freckles of minor surface oxidation and matches the blade perfectly. The entire bayonet is in very nice, crisp condition and with a little light cleaning would probably brighten up to be a very fine or better condition example. As it sits, the overall condition is extremely nice, and it would be a great addition to your high condition US Model 1835/40 or US Model 1842 musket. For the re-enactor or living historian, these Model 1835 Replacement Bayonets almost always fit on the reproduction Armi-Sport Model 1842 muskets, as well as the original muskets.