This is a VERY GOOD+ example of the Austrian Model 1854 Socket Bayonet for the Austrian Lorenz Rifle Musket, complete with original Austrian scabbard. The Lorenz was the third most used long arm on both sides during the American Civil War, and no collection of bayonets from that war is complete without one. The bayonet is complete and full length with its original and fully functional locking ring. The scabbard is also complete and retains both its iron finial and the iron frog hook. The bayonet blade is mostly smooth metal throughout with a pleasing dove gray patina that shows patches of scattered oxidation and age staining. The blade shows some scattered pinpricking and light pitting as well. The socket shows some more moderate pinpricking and peppering and has darker patina than the blade, with more brownish oxidation and age discoloration present. The original Austrian inspection mark, a * is present on the reverse shank of the bayonet. The Austrian unit marking 79.15.73 is stamped on the obverse shank and a large 3 is stamped on the face of the blade. The unit mark implies 79^th regiment, 15^th company, 73^rd man/gun number. The bayonet retains its original quadrangle blade that is nominally 19” in length with a 3.15” socket. The overall length is 22.25”. The socket is cut a helical mortise to accommodate the off-set oval base bayonet lug that serves as the base for the Lorenz front sight blade. The socket has a nominal muzzle diameter of .748” and a muzzle to stud distance of .81”. The helical cut is nominally .28” wide. As these bayonets and guns were handmade and finished and then the bayonets were hand fit to the guns, they do not always interchange and realistically only about one out of four will just fit on the gun you buy them for. As such, it is always best to select a bayonet like this in person with your gun, to make sure it will actually fit.

The scabbard is the typical Austrian style with a wooden body covered with leather, with iron mountings. The scabbard body is in VERY GOOD condition, as is the leather covering. The leather shows moderate amounts of scuffing, surface mars and finish loss. There is also some minor tearing around the throat of the scabbard where some of the leather is loose, and a small amount is missing. The stitching along the side seam of the leather covering is in fine, tight condition. The iron mounts have an untouched, moderately oxidized, brownish-gray patina, but remain in fine, solid condition. While US purchases of Austrian bayonet scabbards appear to have been quite limited, several thousand Austrian bayonet scabbards were procured by the Confederacy during the war and are well documented in Confederate blockade-runner manifests. 

Overall, this is a really nice-looking bayonet and scabbard combination that would be a wonderful addition to the display of your Austrian Model 1854 Lorenz rifle musket, or a great addition to your Civil War bayonet collection.