British Lancaster Sword Bayonet Post 1855 British Army Sappers, Miners & Engineers 1855 Pattern Lancaster Rifle Pipeback. 20821:22. Bayonet

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 303 & 367 No 748 of Watts & White). This is an excellent original example of the 1855 Lancaster bayonet. It has the correct 24”pipeback blade which has just light staining consistent with age, brass cross guard with muzzle ring and brass pommel with correct flat steel spring bar with post 1858 retaining screw and push button which works as it should. The blade is marked by Manufacturer R & W. Aston of Birmingham. There are visible dates and marks ‘2, 1864, G.A, 101, 5, 2, 29, 10 – See images. Its original black hard leather grips are intact and correctly secured by rivets. The bayonet measures 29” overall. The price includes UK delivery. 20821:22.