Sharps military long arms with bayonet?

[Naphtali]

While I cannot conceive of a Sharps carbine using a bayonet, Sharps infantry rifles, not including rifles used for long range sniping, are a different bag of cats. During the Civil War infantry rifle were intended to use bayonets. Yet I have never viewed a photograph of a Sharps infantry rifle having a bayonet fixture on barrel.

Were any Civil War Sharps infantry rifles outfitted for a bayonet? If they were, please identify the bayonet used and the identity of the units so outfitted.

[boge]

Perhaps you want the individual soldiers' names as well?

[ChrisF]

The Berdan Contract rifles were issued with BAyonets and the Navy models were also fitted for bayonet. The Berdan were Socket bayonets and I believe the Navy were fitted with a lug. The Sharps Bayonet in a scarce item as many were "LOST" or made into items to move hot pots on the firepit around. The Berdans were Skirmishers and also Pennsylvania Bucktails. The Bucktail aquired Sharps were aquired when the Bucktails broke into a warehouse in Washington and aquired the rifles. I own a documented Bucktail rifle. The bayonets generally go for around $1000.00 each when u can find them. Any more questions PM me.

[Naphtali]

Perhaps you want the individual soldiers' names as well?

20,000 comedians out of work, and you're being funny?
***
Chris:

Many thanks for your thorough, clear reply. I recently acquired a Shiloh 1863 infantry rifle. It has no provision for a bayonet. This got me thinking about the [original] rifles' purpose during the Civil War. It makes good sense to me that neither carbines nor Berdan rifles would have no provision for a bayonet. But line infantry? How would they respond to "Fix Bayonets?" That this infantry would participate in a bayonet charge or close quarters defense without bayonets I found difficult to believe.

My understanding of the purpose and function of Berdan's regiments is obviously inadequate. A sniper needing or using a bayonet I would not have anticipated. I'm creating my own anachronism - twentieth-century military thinking applied to 1860s.

[ChrisF]

The socket bayonets fit over the front sight and rotated on the barrel with a band to lock them on. I believe Roy Marcots book on the Berdans has pictures. This type was a triangular style while the navy rifles took a blade bayonets

[ChrisF]

BACO sells a book Civil War Sharps Carbines and Rifles that shows pictures of rifles with the socket bayonets attached.

[ChrisF]

BACO sells a book Civil War Sharps Carbines and Rifles that shows pictures of rifles with the socket bayonets attached.

[ChrisF]

Also the Navy Rifle had a longer barrel. The Navy rifles had a bvayonet lug under the barrel to fix a bayonet on to. The Berdan Sharpshooters were a very very effective unit in the war. Also some of the Volunteer Veterans Reserve Corps were issued Sharps Rifles one rifle I owned was from Charles F. Tew of the 25th Mass. I owned the rifle,bayonet, books, bayonet scabbard and frog. I eventually found a relative of Charles F. Tew who was looking for info on his ancestor and they were reunited to Tews family.

[George Babits]

In Frank Seller's book on Sharps there are several pictures of Sharps military rifles that have bayonet lugs on the underside of their barrel.

George
Salmon, Idaho

[boge]

http://gunandswordcollector.com/Templat ... _RUSA.html

[Tomklinger]

I just got finished working on an original Sharps civil war rifle that had a brass handle bayoneted and a slot that slid into a lug on the side of the barrel... I wish I still had it, I would post a picture

Tom Klinger

[ChrisF]

That was a blade bayonet would it not?

[Tomklinger]

ChrisF,

Yes it was...and it had a bit of a curve to it.

Tom klinger

[ChrisF]

That is correct the socket bayonet slid over the muzzle over the front sight with a locking band to keep it on the barrel. Shaped similar to the Springfield bayonet

[ToddC]

My dad has a sight mounted bayonet at his house. I need to get it. Wouldn't it be cool if it fit.