Trapdoor Rifles

I bought this bayonet from the bayonet bucket in a booth at an N-SSA National about 40 years ago. When I got back to our campsite I was a little upset that it didn't fit my musket, but it did hold the ramrod on the line, so I kept it. In the photos a standard M-1855 is at the top and the mystery bayonet at the bottom. The bore is about 0.01" smaller than an M-1855. It actually will fit on a few CW Springfield muskets, but it's too small for most. Does anyone know what it was actually made to fit?

Tony, I assume you have already checked Reilly, and Hardin? Beyond that, my knowledge of "1855-70 era" bayonets is virtually nil. I do notice that the sight base on the oddball is apparently much longer than the standard US musket.

Yes, I did check Reilly and didn't see anything exactly like it. Might have missed it though. The sight has to be further toward the muzzle than a musket too. On the few musket barrels it will go on to, the locking ring won't turn because the sight is in the way.

Yeah, the locking rings are located differently too - is the blade of normal/proper length? A WILD guess would be something Confederate, reusing a Yankee blade - anything look crude around the elbow?

Perhaps for one of the various common rifle or Mississippi conversions to take a socket bayonet. Or one of the foreign imports (Austrian Lorenz, etc)?

US markings and smaller bore than standard .58 suggest it was official procurement, not Bubba.

Muzzle to front of lug/sight measurement may be biggest help in ID.

Society of American Bayonet Collectors group probably has someone who can ID it.

Thanks John! I will try them. I did try slipping it on an Enfield rifle, since the front sight is about the right size and right place, and I have a couple of them... But the socket is too small for that barrel too.

I do know that a Penney will fit into an 1855 civil War bayonet socket but it will Not fit into a 45-70 bayonet socket.