If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Some of the M1841's ended up with a socket or sabre bayonet because the intent was to "modernize" the as-made M1841 to be on a par with the new M1855 Rifle.
While not universal, this was done in a variety of ways by adding a long range or short range rear sight and some provision for mounting a bayonet (NUG by the adding of an M1855 Rifle type barrel lug, turning down the barrel,
adding an M1842 socket bayonet, or adding a barrel clamp with lug for a sabre bayonet.
And, typically, reboring them to .58 (but not always).
The most common Enfield rifle was the P1856 Short Rifle which already had a sabre bayonet. Often when purchased in England, the arms came as a "stand" of arms that included a bayonet.
Curt
Curt Schmidt
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt, Curt Schmidt
-Hard and sharp as flint...secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.
-Haplogroup R1b M343 (Subclade R1b1a2 M269)
-Pointless Folksy Wisdom Mess, Oblio Lodge #1
-Vastly Ignorant
-Often incorrect, technically, historically, factually.
On a side note, there was an Enfield "sergeant's fusil" which was identical to 1853 but had a 33" barrel and had the butt mounted sling swivel. It was Designed for a socket bayonet. At least 3 known "G" marked examples, I believe Jim Mayo has an original.
On a side note, there was an Enfield "sergeant's fusil" which was identical to 1853 but had a 33" barrel and had the butt mounted sling swivel. It was Designed for a socket bayonet. At least 3 known "G" marked examples, I believe Jim Mayo has an original. [ATTACH=CONFIG]48669[/ATTACH]
Andrew: Upon close examination I found evidence of a lug attachment. It's really hard to see and you have to know exactly where to look and get the light just right.
Jim Mayo
Portsmouth Rifles, Company G, 9th Va. Inf.
We are talking about the rifled P56 "Sergeants' Fusil."
It did take an 18 inch socket bayonet.
On July 27, 1857, 10,000 were ordered from the Birmingham makers. They went to sergeants of ''native regiments" in India and by March 1858 8,198 were delivered. Due to shifting circumstances in India no further contracts were given., and the balance of 1,802 were delivered into store by the end of March 1859.
As part of the "policy" not to differentiate the outward appearance in arms between British and "native" infantry regiments but have the Indian regiments armed with inferior arms- there was also a smoothbore version of the P58 Sergeants Fusil authorized in December of 1858. In January 1859 an order was placed 4,034 with London makers and another 12,966 with Birmingham makers.
Field use of the smoothbore fusil proved the barrel to be too weak, and in April 1865 a new pattern with a thicker barrel wall was ordered to be made at Enfield.
Both the (Indian service) rifled P56 Sergeants Fusil and the P58 smoothbore Sergeants Fusil are considered small numbers and not significant so they NUG, typically, do not make it into Enfield reference books too much.
Curt
The Indian Sergeants' Fusil mounted an 18 inch socket bayonet
Curt Schmidt
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt, Curt Schmidt
-Hard and sharp as flint...secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.
-Haplogroup R1b M343 (Subclade R1b1a2 M269)
-Pointless Folksy Wisdom Mess, Oblio Lodge #1
-Vastly Ignorant
-Often incorrect, technically, historically, factually.
Comment