American Socket Bayonet Scabbards circa 1855 to 1900
In 1855 the American military decided on a new Bayonet fo rall services this was the 1855, this remained in service until they replaced it with the 1873 whixh used the same pattern bayonebt with a smaller socket. During this period there were a number of different patterns of scabbards used, by both the military and militia units.This page covers examples of many of these, either in my collection or provided by other collectors and dealers. The reference numbers are those used by Robert M. Reilly in his book on American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards, which is the definitive work on the subject at this time.
The 1855 scabbard consisted of a stitched leather with a brass chape and an attaqched belt loop attached by a frog 2, 3, 7, or 8 rivets or in an all a stitched version.
| 1855 0 Rivet frog | |
| The first scababrds came with an all stitched frog | |
| 1855 TYPE II 2 Rivet frog S52 | |
| Modern reproduction | |
| 1855 TYPE II 3 Rivet scabbard S57 | |
| Modern reproduction | |
| 1855 TYPE II 7 Rivet scabbard S | |
| Seven rivet frog version of the 1855 leather scabbards | |
| 1855 TYPE III 8 Rivet scabbard S54 | |
| Eight rivet scabbbard version of the 1855 leather scabbards | |
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Reproduction 8 rivet scabbArd on aN 1855 made for re-enactors. |
| HOFFMAN 1st Pattern Scabbard | |
| 1st pattern of the hoffman swivel made at Waterville Arsenal this gave a full 360 degree rotation to the scabbard adn attacjment which was found to be unacceptableit allowed. This uses twin tongues to hold the steel scabbard to the leather frog. Neither of the tongues has a rivet as used in the 1873 pattern scabbards. there is no brass rossette | |
| HOFFMAN 2nd Pattern Scabbard | |
| 2nd pattern of the hoffman swivel made at Waterville Arsenal this was a modification of the 1st pattern to prevent the full 360 degree rotation it allowed. This uses twin tongues to hold the steel scabbard to the leather frog. Neither of the tongues has a rivet as used in the 1873 pattern scabbards. there is no brass rossette |
| 1851 Cadet Scabbard | |
| Interesting bayonet this a split ring in which a stud fits to lock the socket to the rifle |
| Militia Scabbard | |
| Basically similar to the 1851 above, this one has standard eagle headed buttons to hold the cross belt. |
For the 1873 bayonet the scabbard was changed to a folded steel scabbard with a frog attached by a rivet at the throat. There were several variations of the tabs and the rivet positions over the production period of the scabbard. Additionally there were several variations ot the swivel, and the belt attachment method, including for some militia units attachment methods for shoulder straps.
| 1873 Scabbard rossetes | |
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The issue 1873 scabbards came with a swivel connecting the belt loop with the scababrd frog. Military issue came with U.S, USN or USMC, Milititia units came with a avariety of different marks on the front of the swivel. Scabbards were also supplied with a blank brass disk to be marked at the unit level. A unknown Red shows rossettes owned |
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1873 NJ Button
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New Jersey button on 1873 scabbard |
| top NJ is 31/32" in diameter as opposed to 63/64" for the lower, but has obvious differences in the font that are easier to differentiate the two variations | |
| 1873 MASS Button | |
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Massachusets button on 1873 scabbard uses theMcKenny throat |
| 1873 USN |
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| USN button on 1873 scabbard, t |
| 1873 U.S Button S84 | |
| U.S button on 1873 scabbard, this scabbard has been fitted with hooks to go on a leter web belt | |
| 1873 US Button S85 | |
| US button on later made1873 scabbard, makers mark is on the reverse of the back. Note there is no dot between the U and the S. | |
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1873 Large Plain rossette S96
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| 1873 bayonet missing it's locking ring stud. Has added wire hooks to allow the bayoent to be fitted to later web belts | |
| 1873 NGP Marked S92 | |
| NGP, National Guard Pennsylvania, uses a central rivet to attach to the scababrd | |
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Central Rivet Scababrd
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| Scabbard missing the hanger with cental location for rivet | |
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Off Center Rivet Scababrd
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| Scabbard with off center location for rivet | |
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1873 brass hanger S112
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| Brass hanger version of 1873 scabbard, these were made later than the more normally found leather hanger versions. Made after 1880 they were issued when a unit had the correct belts etc for them, they did nor replace the leather hangers. | |
| Dress Buff frog S114 | |
| Reportedly from New York. uses a plain front rossette and a dircular washer rather than the ealry pettled ones. Throat is the 1886 McKenny patent one | |
| Prairie Scabbard S111 | |
| One of the last issue scabbards used by the cavalry, uses a single hook riveted to the throat of the scabbard. | |
| BANNERMAN Cadet |
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| Bannerman cadet bayonet 16" scabbard |
| 1873 Trowel S127 | |
| A multi use tool bayonet has been a long time wish for bayonet makers and routinely attempted. This trowel bayonet reproduction is one of three types, which have 3 different scabbard types. | |