This is a VERY GOOD+ to NEAR FINE condition example of the US Model 1860 Spencer Repeating Rifle Socket Bayonet (Reilly B109). Typically, Spencer socket bayonets are completely unmarked, other than with a single small capital letter inspector’s mark that is often found just forward of the mortise cut on the right side of the socket. They are not marked “US” on the face of the blade like their much more common US Model 1855 .58 caliber brethren are. The inspector mark is not always found just forward of the mortise cut and is sometimes found a little farther forward on the socket, or even on the right side of the neck (or shank) of the bayonet. However, not all examples are found with this small inspector mark, but when they are found they are the only markings on the bayonet. The most commonly encountered inspector letters are “M” and “L” with “H” less frequently encountered. As noted, the inspection mark is not always present and it is not clear in those situations if the marks were simply not applied, if the marks sometimes wore away on some bayonets, or a combination of both. One potential answer could be that those not inspected were part of the small numbers of Spencer Rifles that were sold privately to buyers like Colonel John T. Wilder, who arranged a $50,000 financing deal to order 1,400 Spencer Rifle to arm his brigade. Those rifles were put to good use by Wilder’s “Lighting Brigade”. Absent such an inspector’s mark, the only evidence that the bayonet is for a Spencer Rifle rather than a standard .58 socket bayonet is the lack of the “US” marking and a close examination of the bayonet’s dimensions.

While the blade and socket lengths of the US Model 1855 .58 caliber socket bayonet and the Spencer socket bayonet are both nominally the same, being 18” for the blade and 3” for the socket, there are two small differences in dimensions that identify the bayonet as one for a Spencer Rifle. The Spencer socket bayonet has a nominal bore diameter of .812”, while a standard Model 1855 bayonet has a nominal bore diameter .783”. The Spencer bayonet also has a slightly higher than normal bridge at the rear of the socket, which is necessary to clear the Spencer rifle’s taller front sight blade. However, in all other ways, the bayonet has the appearance and dimensions of the standard Type I Model 1855 .58 caliber socket bayonet. 

This example of a US Model 1860 Spencer Repeating Rifle Socket Bayonet is one of those examples that does not have a visible sub-inspection letter on the right side of the socket or neck. The bayonet remains  full-length with an 18” blade and a 3” socket and retains its original locking ring and tension screw. The locking ring functions smoothly and correctly. The bore diameter measures .815” and the height of the bridge measures 1.12” at the tallest point. These dimensions definitively identify this as a Spencer Rifle socket bayonet, in addition to the lack of a “US” mark on the blade. 

The bayonet has a moderately oxidized patina with evenly distributed patches of darkly oxidized surface freckling over all of the metal surfaces with the bayonet having a medium steel patina as the base color of the bayonet. The metal itself remains mostly smooth, with no significant pitting or surface roughness present. There are some small, scattered areas of minor pinpricking here and there and a few freckled areas of minor roughness. These are most noticeable on the socket. It is possible that a careful light cleaning might reduce the amount of freckled discoloration on the bayonet. As would be expected of any socket bayonets, there are also some lightly scattered minor impact marks here and there. These minor impact marks are typical and regularly appear on socket bayonets that saw actual use in the field. 

Overall, this is a very nice condition, original and complete US Model 1860 Spencer Rifle Socket Bayonet. This bayonet would be a very good compliment to any Spencer rifle with a similar patina, particularly one with a freckled receiver. These are fairly scarce bayonets, as only 11,470 were delivered to the US Ordnance Department during the American Civil War, along with a couple thousand that were privately purchased by the men of Wilder’s Lightning Brigade. This example that is not inspected could have been one delivered with the Wilder’s Brigade order. It is a solid example that will be a great addition to your collection.