I have went over the bayonet multiple times with a magnifying glass and can find no other markings. The bayonet is 21' long with the blade. Bayonets from Selected Countries of the World updated March 4, 2008: Help us keep this Identification Service alive. Visit our Shopping Site pages and buy from us direct or visit our Books for Sale pages and buy research materials from one of our affiliates.
I picked up this bayonet some 25 years ago for my 'Enfield' rifle musket for reenacting. I don't remember where or how I came by it or how much I paid for it, but it wouldn't have been overmuch.My rifle is a 1st generation Parker-Hale model of 1853. When I picked up this bayo, it was a loose fit and would wobble back and forth.
I wound up spreading a layer of J.B. Weld inside the socket and sanding it through to fit. I had also cold blued the socket to look more period correct. Yeah, I know.
A terrible things to do to an original item. As I said I didn't pay overmuch for it and they weren't all that uncommon or valuable then. I don't know that they are yet. I do have some older pics showing the socket beforehand.
As I recall, it was pretty much a uniform patina.In any case, I no longer reenact, to old, fat and lame these days but hang on to this for my PH which I will not part with. I had quite a few modifications made to it to make it period correct.
Prior to this, I hadn't given any thought to the markings but I have been cleaning up my bayonets and got to wondering about this one.I don't know that it was for a P53 or not. Being over sized could have been the product of Contract manufacturing or possibly from an earlier larger bore musket?The blade is 17' long, socket 2 7/8,' outside diameter at the muzzle end 1.' Anyway, here are the pics. The pics with 2 bayos are the original with an India made repro.
The one marked with the red capitol 'A' is the repro. I included multiple shots of the blade markings hoping that might make the whole clearer.The first two with red background were taken before bluing the socket. I didn't go for a hard blue-black but left it at field and use worn.
Update:I have since found a site of interest.' Markings on British and Commonwealth Bayonets,' the link to it-. Unfortunately, it was last updated in 2003.The only 'SH' in this listing are 'post 1881' letters for the '53rd Foot; The King's Shropshire Light Infantry.' They in turn were reorganized in 1881. The location for these letters on triangular bladed socket bayonets is 'across the blade, close to the shoulder.' That sounds right on target for my bayo so far. links to their history-I haven't found any 'B/13' yet.
For that matter, wouldn't a bayo issued to a British unit have a 'broad arrow' and some crown stamp? I am not convinced what I have found so far identifies my bayonet.
The search continues.Anybody knows something, feel free to chime in! Nug, the B/13 is a Birmingham proof mark. Birmingham was the hub of commercial weaponry production in England.The P1853 musket was made in huge numbers (for the times, and the production techniques then current). In weight, trim, and accuracy it was the considered the best and most modern arm available. It equipped the British Army and Navy; and the official and quasi-official forces occupying India and every other dominion of the Empire.
M1855 Bayonet
It was also sold through commercial venues to anyone who had the cash- foreign governments, shipping companies (the heartbeat of the British Empire), police forces, militia units- and yes, both sides during our Civil war.P1853 bayonets were made in France, Belgium, and England- at first solely by the commercial trade. Later, the Brits established machinery at Enfield to make them through government works.Many P1853 bayonets will not have a broad arrow stamp; those bayonets saw service elsewhere. I suspect the SH is Steven Hill, who may have finished assembling the bayonet from a blade supplied by Salter- the blades and elbows were steel; the sockets iron.This is only speculation on my part. Socket bayonets are often an enigma- but I lke 'emps- love the 'Tumbleweeds' avatarLast edited by Stede; at 06:56 PM.
Hmm well- here we go with speculation again so take this with the proverbial grain of salt, eh!I don't believe the SH is a regimental mark. I have a few Brit sockets with regimentals- and all are on the socket; and each has as well a weapon number (I'll take pics tomorrow, too dark here now).Stephen Hill was a Birmingham merchant; that much fits and Salter was known to have spread his bayonet contracting out amongst the other, smaller firms (according to Skennerton).So much fog accompanies the early sockets.! That's great information Stede. If SH is your Steven Hill, where did he do his assembling at?? Any ideas about time era? Do you think the info I found is correct? That my bayo is post 1881?
That must have been in some backwater to have been issued for a P53 or Snider adaption.My avatar is the 'Tex' character from 'T'weeds' and since I am a Texan it just seemed too right. Glad you like 'im.I have a very interesting article 'Enfield' Bayonets in the Civil War 1861-1865 by Graham Priest.In the article Graham lists Stephen Hill as a Birmingham contractor.Hill, Stephen & Sons, 25 Pritchett St.
(1854-?)In it is pictured the marking of a Salter & Co. With a 'B' for Birmingham view mark with inspector number 13.
He uses the bayonet on the left as an example that would not have been used in the Civil War since it has the crowned 'B' and the one on the right as a typical Civil War export.Bill. Is it safe to assume this may have been made for the War Between the States?Unfortunately, no. The only thing that is safe to say about it's service is that it did not serve in the British Regulars, not army of navy.
It could have been used in either US or CS serve, it may have served with volunteer services in England (not regular army), or it could have been used by any colonial forces anywhere in the British Empire. I have also been told that large numbers of P53 rifle muskets and their bayonets were also exported by the Birmingham trade to South America for use there. Perhaps further to the above posts and queries:I picked up a Enfield 1853 socket bayonet this weekend. I was extremely lucky and paid only 200 Norwegian kroner (about $25) for it.
I couldn't believe it, especially as I knew the seller, who is usually quite OTT with his prices, and who also had a N.67 (Singer) WWII spike bayonet on his stall, all polished bright and without scabbard, for the same price!The 1853 Enfield socket that I have is simply stamped Reeves and has a four digit serial on the bottom right ricasso, 4496. Does any one have any ideas as to whether this was perhaps a Civil War export? Needless to say that this is not one of the later 1871 bushed examples for the Martini-Henry rifle.Having recently moved all my books are packed still.As ever, any information would be gratefully received!