English Made Bayonet Scabbard – Commonly Found In America

English Made Bayonet Scabbard – Commonly Found In America.  The reference for this bayonet can be found in American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards, by Robert M. Reilly, one page 153-154, figures S43 & 43a.  These presumably were made for the Short Land Pattern Musket.  Massachusetts had purchased older pattern of this Short Land pattern muskets in the early 1820 to beef up State arms.  One can assume that bayonets, and scabbards would also have been purchased at this same time.  Maine had similar arms in its inventory, suggesting that these arms could been purchased prior to 1820, the year Maine attained statehood from being a district of Massachusetts and those arms already in armories.

Reilly states that the stud on the upper brass mount would have been used with an over the shoulder belt, but this type could have easily been adapted to use with a separate leather frog mounted on belt.

The length is 17.5 inches, with the throat being (front) 1 1/6 inches, (back) 2 1/6 inches.  The tip is 2 7/16 inches.  Both brass pieces are embellished with scribe lines.  A section of iron protrudes through the leather at 3 5/16 inches below the brass throat to hold that piece in place.  The interior of the throat is lined in red wool.  The stitching is sound, and overall the scabbard is in excellent condition.

A fine arms accoutrement made in Britain and used here in this country.