Enfield socket bayonet, 1853 pattern, British (c 1853-73)

Title	Enfield socket bayonet, 1853 pattern
Nationality	British
Period	c 1853-73

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This classic bayonet was the mainstay of British infantry throughout the Crimean War (1854-56), the Persian campaign (1856), the Indian Mutiny (1857-59), the China War (1859-60), the Abyssinia campaign (1866), the Maori Wars of the 1860s, not to mention countless frontier expeditions in India and Burma.

In 1875 some of these saw service with the Snider breechloader conversion of the Enfield, principally for Indian service, viz. Sikh and Ghurka regiments.

The blade measures 16.25", with a just under 3" socket and 20 mm muzzle ring diameter. There is a sanskrit (?) mark on one face of the socket, but no others. This has obviously been sold off to a native state or some such.

It is now brightly polished throughout and is priced accordingly. The metal of the socket, in particular, is considerably thinner than it would have been in its heyday. However, for someone on a budget, this is an adequate example of this pattern of bayonet. It is not a copy!

If ever there was a bayonet representative of Britain's Empire at its zenith, this is it!

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Edged Weapons : Bayonets : British : 19th Century]

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