U.S. Navy Model 1861 "Dahlgren" Bayonet


This is the first true US adopted knife bayonet and was designed by its namesake, "Admiral John A. Dahlgren." It was supposedly used on the US Model 1861 Plymouth-Whitneyville Navy Rifled Musket, but it is my understanding that they rarely ever fit properly or could not be interchanged (I have not proven this either way). These are massive and weigh over two pounds.
They are very well made, one-piece wood grips, brass hilt (pommel, back-strap, and crossguard); latching mechanism is a push-button/spring-steel arrangement. Crossguard is formed by the muzzle-ring as an upper quillon (with a "cock's comb" style) and the lower quillon is reversed ending in a ball or drum finial.
The blade is straight and unfullered, single-edged, with a short false-edge (about 1/3 the length of the blade), ending in a spear-point.
Scabbards are brass-mounted black leather.

Watch out for reproductions. Many "fair-to-good" ones have been made recently in India and Pakistan.

U.S. Navy Model 1861 "Dahlgren" Bayonet


Please Note: These are currently being reproduced and offered by various distributors. Beware of these being offered as originals by secondary sources.

If you need further information, please request such on the Weapons Identification Service page.
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