Some estimates vary on how many of these original bayonets for the Spencer Navy rifles have survived, but writer believes it to be very few. Sword bayonets became popular as rifles were more widely adopted because they could be used as sidearms without needing to be fitted to a rifleman's main weapon. When attached, their extra length made up for the fact that rifles were often shorter than muskets. Many, including this example, have a blade profile based on the Ottoman yataghan short swords with their distinctive curved forward blades. The 20 inch blade has "1861" stamped on the right ricasso and "COLLINS & CO./HARTFORD/CONN" on the left ricasso. The hilt is brass and has a round hole in the upper cross guard and a slot along the top of the handle for fitting a Spencer Navy rifle. The top of the handle is marked "482." It comes with a partial scabbard with brass locket.

Good. The blade has mild pitting and edge wear. The brass has an attractive aged patina. The incomplete scabbard is poor and covers only 13 1/4 inches of the blade and has cracking, flaking, and separation of the remaining leather. Original bayonets for Spencer Navy rifles are rarely found. Only 709 rifles were manufactured, and thus the bayonets would have had a low production total as well.