This is a solid example of a rather scarce socket bayonet that was imported by the US during the American Civil War. At first glance it looks very much like a French Model 1847 bayonet, however several features quickly identify it as the socket bayonet for use with Model 1851 and Model 1857 Saxon (Dresden) Rifle Musket. Approximately 29,000 of these rifle muskets were purchased by the US government, the majority being delivered by George Schuyler, who purchased at least 27,000 of them. However, it is possible that more of the rifles were procured, as a letter from arms dealer Herman Boker to US Secretary of War Simon Cameron, dated November 20, 1861, reads in part:
“Sir: We have the honor to inform you that we have received, per Saxonia, from Hamburg, arrived this morning, 443 cases rifled muskets - in all about 10,000…”
Over the years I have had the opportunity to offer about dozen of the guns, but I have only had about half that many of the bayonets. They are much less common than the guns, which are hardly common themselves.
The primary features that identify this as a Model 1851 Saxon (Dresden) Socket Bayonet instead of being one of the similar pattern Belgian or French bayonets that it resembles are that it has a 16” blade, a larger diameter socket, and the most obvious feature is the use of two locking ring stop pins on the socket. These stop pins are located 180-degrees apart, in opposition to each other. I am aware of no other socket bayonet that has a pair of locking ring stop pin on the socket.
Overall, the bayonet is in about VERY GOOD condition. The bayonet is maker marked on the face of the blade on the ricasso with a G8. This is probably the mark of the Belgian maker who made the bayonet. Nearly all the “Saxon” pattern rifles that were imported to the US appear to have been Belgian contract arms that were manufactured by Liège gunmaker P.J. Malherbe. The obverse shank of the bayonet is numbered 111, with a Gothic M on the reverse of the shank. The “serial number” would have been used to match the bayonet to the similarly numbered M1851 or M1857 rifle musket. The M on the shank may stand for Malherbe. A similar, if weak “M” is on the face of the bayonet as well. The blade measures 16.5” from the tip to the face of the shank and has a 13.5” face flute. The socket measures 2.6” in length and the overall length of the bayonet is 19.25”. The muzzle diameter of the socket is .845”. The socket is mortised for a top stud and the muzzle to stud distance is .9”
The surface of the bayonet shows a moderately oxidized and mottled gray patina on the blade, which also shows some scattered impact marks, dings and mars. The blade shows some scattered light pinpricking and minor pitting along the blade. A small .35” wide and .1” deep semi-circular cut has been made on the right edge of the blade, about 7” from the shank. These cuts appear on socket bayonets from time to time and were likely from the bayonet having been mounted on a display board, crossed with another bayonet and the cuts in the blades were where the bayonets crossed and touched. This was probably the work of Francis Bannerman & Company who were always looking for more ways to sell off obsolete surplus military items, even if that meant turning socket bayonets into wall decorations, wall sconces or candelabras! The socket has a similarly mottled patina to the blade but shows somewhat heavier pinpricking and more light pitting than the blade. The socket also shows some impact marks and dings, particularly in the mortise cut. The original locking ring is present and is complete and fully functional, although the stud that the tension screw passes through is slightly bent.
Overall, this is a decent condition example of a rather scarce Civil War import bayonet. These bayonets are so seldom encountered that in the last decade or so I have only had the opportunity to own about a half dozen of them, and rarely for more than a few days once they were listed on the website. These bayonets are much less common than a Sharps or Spencer rifle socket bayonet, and yet those bayonets in the same condition often sell for $200 to $400 more than where this bayonet is priced. This bayonet would be a wonderful addition to your M1851 or M1857 Saxon (Dresden Rifle), and I’m willing to bet that your rifle does not have one of these scarce bayonets to go with it!