This is a NEAR FINE example of the US Model 1855 .58 Caliber Socket Bayonet, made by the firm of Collins & Company. The Collins firm was established in 1826 by brothers Samuel & David Collins and their cousin William Wells. The company was located in the town of Canton, CT on the Farmington River and soon developed a reputation for producing very high-quality axes. The company soon branched out into the production of a wide variety of tools and farm implements and even edged weapons. The Collins Company expanded until its network of factory buildings and employee housing included well over 250 buildings and became its own town of Collinsville. 

Collins & Company produced a variety of edged weapons during the American Civil War, including socket and saber bayonets as well as several patterns of swords. The company had a close relationship with the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and produced saber bayonets for the Model 1841 “Mississippi” rifles that were altered by Colt, as well as many socket bayonets for the Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle Muskets. The Collins company remained in business until 1966, and today more than 50 of their original buildings remain standing.

Collins produced socket bayonets are particularly desirable and collectible, as they were one of the very few contractors who actually placed a maker’s mark on their socket bayonets, allowing today’s collectors to know who made the bayonet. The top of the socket is clearly and deeply marked with a C&C mark, which is somewhat less common than the C&Co mark that is more often encountered. The mark is much crisper and stronger than typically encountered on these bayonets, so it does not appear that the little “o” from a “C&Co” mark did not register on the socket due to a poor strike. The ricasso of the blade is also clearly marked with a fairly deep and clear US mark. A small H sub-inspection mark is present on the rear face of the socket. The bayonet is full length, and the socket is complete with a fully functional locking ring. The locking ring is original and functions as it should. The bayonet has some traces of the arsenal bright polish which is toning towards a bright pewter gray patina with freckled surface oxidation and discoloration evenly distributed over the face of the blade. The reverse of the blade shows some more oxidized discoloration, which is not as widely scattered. Some light, careful cleaning would likely remove some of the surface oxidation and make the blade slightly brighter. The socket has a similar patina to the face of the blade, with a couple of small patches of brownish surface oxidation, which would probably clean as well. The metal remains almost entirely smooth, with only some lightly scattered minor pinpricking here and there. The bayonet remains quite crisp throughout, with very clear marks and good edges. The socket remains completely round and should easily mount on the appropriate patterns of US rifle musket with no issues.

Overall, this is a nice, crisp condition example of a scarce and desirable maker marked US Civil War era .58 socket bayonet. It would be a wonderful addition to any fine condition US Model 1855, 1861/63/64 or 1861 Special Model rifle musket, or even a 1^st or 2^nd Allin Conversion Rifle. It would be particularly at home displayed with a very high condition Colt contract rifle musket, as so many Collins bayonets were delivered with Colt firearms. Maker marked US Model 1855 socket bayonets are quite scarce and this would be a very nice one to add to your collection.

ON HOLD