Bayonet I.D.??

[militiaman1835]

Can anyone I.D. the type of bayonet on his Mississippi rifle? Pvt Parris P. Casey Co. I CHEROKEE RANGERS 19th Alabama Inf. Jim Hensley

[Jimmayo]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

Looks like a English Brunswick.

Tim Prince has one on his site.

http://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1074&cat=13&page=1

[militiaman1835]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

But could it be this one made by Horstman? The cross bar on one on rifle doesnt look to be curled on ends like the Brunswick? And think you can see the brass socket also. I blew it up to full page size. Never saw one like this on a mississippi. Horstman & Sons circa 1835 according to Bayonets from Janzens notebook. "Socket sword combination. It is not really known to which rifle this belongs. An unusual type, the brass section is a single piece casting. The wide fullered blade resembles a short sword more than a bayonet."

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

Hallo!

I think it is Brunswick Rifle bayonet.



Unfortunately I lose resolution blowing it up, and the artist has added/smeared gilt paint on it making it look like a smashed up wooden hilt jammed on the M1841 rifle.
Plus a distorted quillon.
Without checking, I do not remember my British bayonets well- as IIRC there were three variations of the P1837 bayonet involving flat quillon lobes, rounded ones, and a D guard affair.

It may even be a studio prop, as I am not seeing a scabbard on the lad- but I did do the lawn today and have very itchy eyes from the dust and leaf mulch...

Curt

[militiaman1835]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

Found this photo in Library of Congress Collection: Says unknown confederate and "Horstman sword bayonet". Came from same collection as first photo and may also be 19th Alabama soldier.

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

It may even be a studio prop, as I am not seeing a scabbard on the lad- but I did do the lawn today and have very itchy eyes from the dust and leaf mulch...

Curt

Curt, I think there's a high probability of that being the case. First off, and I know it was probably done, but it would seem a little silly to carry a massive Gladius-length D-Guard Bowie as well as a sword bayonet. That is, unless you subscribe to the 'Wildman' Dent Myers philosophy that it would balance you out, and keep you from walking in circles....

However, "two-band" rifles and sword bayonets would roughly correspond with the armament of the 22nd Alabama, with whom the 19th was brigaded. My research has the 22nd Alabama being raised by Zachariah Deas, who put up $28,000 in gold to have his regiment armed with Enfield Rifles with sword bayonets:

TUSCALOOSA OBSERVER, October 2, 1861, page 2, col. 7:

To Volunteer Companies.

We are authorized by the President to raise a Regiment for the War. We have the best Enfield Rifles, with sword bayonets, and accoutrements, tents, camp equipage, blankets, shoes and uniforms for the Regiment. Some of the Companies are now in Montgomery, but owing to an accident, there are some vacancies. The Regiment will soon be under marching orders.
Companies wishing to join us will address either of us at Montgomery.

Z. C. Deas
R. B. Armstead.

The possibilities are interesting, for sure.

[militiaman1835]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

Here are more photos of 19th Al soldiers. I believe its the Horstmann bayonet. Photos of men in other companies show them with 69 cal muskets.

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

Thanks for posting all those great pictures, Jim! I had ancestors in the 25th and 39th Alabama Regiments so I always enjoy seeing pictures of soldiers in Deas' brigade. I really like those cutaway/claw hammer frocks.

I've attached below a picture of Pvt. Calvin J. C. Monroe, from Co. G, 25th Alabama:

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Bayonet I.D.??

Hallo!

My eyes are clear, and I have played with the image.

Yup, I believe it is a Horstmann & Sons. Its blade is tapered not "gladius" shaped, etc., etc.,







Curt