Original British Napoleonic Wars / War of 1812 Era India Pattern Brown Bess Bayonet by Osborn With Leather Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Many variations and modifications of the standard pattern musket were created over its long history. The earliest version was the Long Land Pattern of 1722, 62 inches (1,575 mm) long (without bayonet), with a 46-inch (1,168 mm) barrel. It was later found that shortening the barrel did not detract from accuracy but made handling easier, giving rise to the Militia (or Marine) Pattern of 1756 and the Short Land Pattern of 1768, which both had a 42-inch (1,067 mm) barrel. Another version with a 39-inch (991 mm) barrel was first manufactured for the British East India Company, and was eventually adopted by the British Army in 1790 as the India Pattern.

The “India Pattern” musket was the standard infantry musket used from 1797 to 1854 and many variations of the socket bayonet used for these muskets were produced, the main supplier was Osborn, just like this example here. This is the conventional socket bayonet for the India Pattern, having a base ring and three-step mortise in the socket and a triangular blade. The blade has good unsharpened edges and the tip of the blade appears to have been shortened from use.

This example was made by Henry Osborn, who produced India Pattern bayonets from 1796–1808, when he entered into partnership with John Gunby. Osborn’s name was stamped in a distinctive copperplate script on the ricasso with the usual acceptance and proof marks.

The included leather scabbard is in wonderful condition and fits the bayonet very well. There is no lower brass drag and the brass throat is no longer attached to the leather and will slide off.

This is a lovely example of a socket bayonet for the beloved Brown Bess musket. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 16 3/4″
Socket Length: 4″
Blade Style: Triangular
Overall length: 21 3/8“
Scabbard Length: 16 1/2″ (incomplete)