Original Items: Only One Available. This is a very nice British P-1856 Yataghan Saber bayonet, originally made to fit the “2-Band” P-1853 Enfield and P-1864 Snider short rifles and artillery carbines. While the full length rifle versions of these service weapons used socket bayonets, this was impractical for the short rifles, so they were fitted with bayonet lugs on the right side of the barrels. With the checkered grips, they were also very useful as a sidearm, and the design was used throughout Europe.
This example is fairly typical, with an iron hilt and leather covered wooden grip scales, retained by 3 rivets on one side, and 4 on the other. It has the correct leaf spring bayonet latch, which is still fully functional. At some point after original issue, the muzzle ring was bushed and altered slightly, possibly so that it could mount to the .450/.577 Martini Henry Rifle.
Condition is very good, though it does show wear and past oxidation in places. There are not any markings remaining on the bayonet due to wear. For more information please see Watts & White THE BAYONET BOOK page 368, item 752. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 22 5/8″
Blade Style: Single Edge “Yataghan” with Fuller
Overall length: 28″
Crossguard: 4 1/4”