This is the bayonet for the New Land pattern Brown Bess musket, which was introduced into the British and Indian armies in the 1790s and continued in use through Waterloo and beyond. The spring clip is indicative of East India Company (EIC) service. Sadly, all marks have now disappeared through heavy cleaning.
There is a nice lap weld nearly halfway down the blade, illustrating the method of construction, where the more expensive steel business end was welded onto the iron socket and base of blade.
This weapon has been heavily cleaned, leaving some quite severe medium pitting throughout the blade, especially the upper steel part. Its dimensions are: socket length, 9.7 cm; overall length, 51 cm; blade length (to edge of shoulder), 38.5 cm, internal socket diameter, 2.3 cm; distance from foresight lug to base of socket, 6.2 cm.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Edged Weapons : Bayonets : British : 18th Century]
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