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National Armory Brown Harpers Ferry US Model 1816/27 Socket Bayonet with Rare Original Scabbard

National Armory Brown Harpers Ferry US Model 1816/27 Socket Bayonet with Rare Original Scabbard

  • Product Code: EWB-C56-SOLD
  • Availability: Out Of Stock
  • $700.00


This is a VERY FINE condition example of what is technically the US Model 1827 Socket Bayonet complete with an extremely rare original and correct scabbard. The Model 1827 socket bayonet was an improved version of the earlier Model 1822, which was the improved Model 1816 socket bayonet. While all three of these bayonets look very similar and often not distinguishable without the use of calipers, to the US Ordnance Department they were all separate bayonet patterns. The Model 1822 was an attempt to make the Model 1816 bayonet more standardized in terms of dimensions and in its ability to interchange on US Model 1816 and Model 1822 muskets. The Model 1827 is identifiable by the increased diameter of the neck (or shank) of the bayonet, which was done in an effort to increase the strength of the blade to socket junction. Those bayonets that conform to the Model 1822 pattern but with a neck diameter of more than .450” are officially Model 1827 bayonets. This bayonet has that larger neck diameter which means it is officially a Model 1827. 

 

This bayonet was produced at the Harpers Ferry Armory between the years of 1827-1831. The years from 1821-1831 were the National Armory Brown period, during which time both muskets and bayonets were finished with a rich lacquer brown instead of being polished to “National Armory Bright”. The face of the blade is clearly marked US / EB. The EBmark is that of Harpers Ferry bayonet forger Erasmus Beall. The socket of the bayonet is marked with the alphanumeric rack number G/e 76 forward of the mortise cut, a mating number to match it to the musket to which it had been fit. These unique mating codes were also a primitive form of serial numbers, as the use of both a capital and a lowercase letter in conjunction with a number from 0-99 allowed the guns and bayonets to be numbered into the thousands without using long numbers. 

 

The bayonet remains in FINE overall condition. This very nice example of a bayonet from the National Armory Brown period retains about 60%+ of the original lacquer brown finish, which has faded, dulled, and worn with age and use. The areas where the finish was worn or faded have developed a moderately oxidized brownish patina, making the bayonet appear to retain more finish than it really does. The bayonet is full-length and has a crisp, undamaged socket. The blade is mostly smooth, except for some very lightly scattered areas of minor surface oxidation and light roughness. The socket shows some scattered areas of minor oxidized freckling as well as some minor impact marks which are most obvious around the neck of the bayonet.

 

The bayonet retains its original, period of use bayonet scabbard. This scabbard is a Pattern of 1851 design and is the predecessor to the 1857 pattern scabbard. This scabbard is constructed with a body that is designed for the 16” blade of the 1816 series of socket bayonets and also includes a slightly wider throat than the later 1857 series, which was to accept the wide, sharp shoulders of the 1816 pattern bayonets. The body of the scabbard is constructed of blacked bridle leather that is seamed up the rear. The frog is blackened buff leather and is secured by sewing only and does not have any of the rivet reinforcements that would be introduced with the 1857 pattern of bayonet scabbards. The brass scabbard tip is correct type that is secured with only two brads that enter from the rear without the two front reinforcing brads that would be introduced with the 1863 pattern “Seven Rivet” scabbards. The scabbard is in VERY GOOD condition and shows moderate wear and use with scattered surface flaking and surface finish loss. The leather remains solid and the seam up the rear is tight and secure. The scabbard tip is also securely attached to the scabbard body with the original brads. The sewn-only frog shows some more moderate wear and the buff leather shows moderate wear and finish loss to the blackening. The bridle leather throat that wraps the top of the scabbard body and is sewn to the frog shows the heaviest wear, with heavy crazing and moderate finish loss and is starting to separate with a small tear along the lower edges of the leather, which should be visible in the close-up images of the frog. This is not a major condition issue, but it does mean that the frog should be handled carefully to avoid any additional damage and that the scabbard should probably not be mounted to a belt and displayed with bayonet in it, with the full weight pulling on the frog. Despite the wear and condition issues, the rarity of the scabbard certainly makes this a really important piece to acquire for your collection.

 

Overall, this is a FINE example of a later production National Arsenal Brown era US Model 1827 Socket Bayonet and Scabbard that retains most its original browned finish. These bayonets are rather scarce, especially with this much of their original lacquer brown finish. This bayonet would be a great addition to you National Armory Brown US Model 1822 (M1816 Type II) or Model 1828 (M1816 Type III) musket, especially a Harpers Ferry Amory produced example. The presence of the original scabbard is a huge bonus and is an item rarely seen for sale.


SOLD

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Tags: National, Armory, Brown, Harpers, Ferry, US, Model, 1816/27, Socket, Bayonet, with, Rare, Original, Scabbard