This is a Good+ to Near Very Good condition example of a scarce variant of the US Model 1835 Socket Bayonet. This pattern of socket bayonet was adopted in 1835, with the submission of the Model 1835 sample muskets, and remained in service for the finally approved US Model 1840 flintlock musket, which is sometimes referred to as the M-1835/40 by collectors, as well as the later US Model 1842 percussion musket. This bayonet was designed for use on the new generation of US .69 caliber muskets with a bayonet lug mounted on the bottom of the barrel. It was the first US socket bayonet to incorporate a locking ring into the socket design and was a nearly identical copy of the French Model 1822 socket bayonet. This is not surprising as the US Model 1835/40 musket was closely based upon the French Model 1822 Musket. The bayonet had an 18” blade with scalloped shoulders reminiscent of the Model 1816/22/27 series of bayonets that it was replacing. These bayonets remained in production until 1855, when the manufacture of the US Model 1842 musket was ended with the adoption of the new series of .58 rifled arms, designated as the Model 1855. 

With the coming of the American Civil War, and the need to issue the large numbers of older Model 1835/40 and Model 1842 muskets held in stores around the country, a new bayonet was adopted to replace the original Model 1835 bayonets that had been lost or damaged. This bayonet, usually referred to by collectors as the US Model 1842 bayonet is in reality the US Model 1835 Replacement Bayonet. The new bayonet used the original pattern socket in conjunction with the newly adopted Model 1855 style bayonet blade with tapered shoulders.

The 18” blade is full-length and clearly marked. The blade is marked with the usual US mark on the ricasso over the enigmatic mark of a pair of {Crossed Arrows}. This scarce marking variant is shown in Robert M. Reilly’s American Socket Bayonets & Scabbards as Figure B78A. The meaning of the mark is not known at this time. However, I believe it is a contractor mark and hypothesize that it may be a Whitney mark. During the period of about 1830 to 1837 Whitney US Model 1822 Muskets (Model 1816 Type II) were delivered with “Crossed Arrows” stamped on their lock plates. The latter part of that contract deliver was the same period of time when the new Model 1835 bayonet was accepted. Whitney did manufacture some “Good & Serviceable” arms that took the US Model 1835 Socket Bayonet, including some Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifles for South Carlonia and the New Hampshire contract US Model 1842 Variant Muskets. I believe that these “Crossed Arrow” marked bayonets may have been made up by Whitney for delivery with some of these state contract arms.

The US Model 1835 socket bayonet offered here is in about Good+ to Near Very Good condition. The metal is uncleaned and is moderately oxidized with a mottled salt and pepper, dark gray on light gray patina over most of the surfaces. The face of the blade is mostly smooth, with the mottled gray patina mentioned above with the reverse of the blade showing some patches of heavily oxidized surface roughness and some very old surface rust. The last 5”-6” near the tip show the most roughness and dark discoloration. The socket shows some freckled brownish surface oxidation, which might clean with a little oil and 0000 steel wool, the remove it. The original locking ring is in place on the socket of the bayonet and includes the original tension screw. Both the ring and the tension screw operate exactly as they should. 

Overall, this is a solid example of a scarce US Model 1835 Socket Bayonet variant with the rare “Crossed Arrows” marking. The bayonet remains in Good+ to Near Very Good condition. It would be a very nice addition to your Model 1840 or Model 1842 musket. It would also be a great addition to any collection of Mexican War through Civil War era US socket bayonets.

ON HOLD/LAYAWAY