Early Type Pre 1858 British WD Army Sappers & Miners 1855 Pattern Lancaster Rifle Pipeback Sword Bayonet & Scabbard. Bayonets

Early Type Pre 1858 British WD Army Sappers & Miners 1855 Pattern Lancaster Rifle Pipeback Sword Bayonet & Scabbard. Sn 20119 - 20119

British Sappers and Miners Units adopted an oval barrel rifle in 1855 and produced their own distinctive bayonet with a Falchion or pipe backed blade. The leather scabbard had brass fittings. After 1857 the Sappers and Miners were renamed the Engineers so the blade is sometimes called the Engineers Bayonet. After removal from Engineer service they became a side arm particularly for the Medical Corps. Early examples had a leaf spring secured by a rivet but post 1858 the springs on these bayonets were secured by a screw. The British Government ordered quantities of these bayonets from German manufacturers & both the London and Birmingham trade (see pages 121-124 and item B160 of British & Commonwealth Bayonets By Skennerton). This is an excellent original example of the 1855 Lancaster bayonet. It has a blackened 24” pipeback blade, brass cross guard with muzzle ring and brass pommel with correct flat steel spring bar with pre 1858 riveted flat spring and push button release which works as it should. The ricasso has WD and ‘Crown 22’ inspection marks. It's original chequered black grips have just light service wear and are correctly secured by rivets. There are no visible maker or Regiment marks on the bayonet. The bayonet measures 29 ¼” overall and is complete with its original leather scabbard with brass locket and brass chape. The leather is undamaged and all stitching intact. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 20119

£575.00