Bavaria

Identification of this example is somewhat speculative. The socket and elbow are consistent with Bavarian bayonets of the early 1800s, such as those used with the Bavarian Infanteriegewehr Models 1801 through 1826.

Influenced by the French Charleville musket, the Model 1801 was introduced to Bavaria by Jakob Graf von Manson. Manson reformed and modernized Bavarian arms following Maximilian Joseph's ascendancy to rule as Elector of Bavaria in 1799, then King in 1806.

Bavarian sockets of the early 1800s were typically manufactured with a cruciform blade. This example appears to have had the upper rib ground away to create a triangular blade profile, as evidenced by the odd way in which the shank meets the blade.

The starburst mark on the elbow is typically attributed to Austria. However, the mark on this example differs from what is typically observed on Austrian bayonets.

Socket length is 2.785 in. (71 mm.). Blade width is 25 mm. (1.00 in.).

Prussia

These are frequently encountered in the USA, owing to the M1809 musket’s use during the U.S. Civil War. The bayonet is unusual in that it lacks the mortise commonly found on socket bayonets. The mounting system was developed by Austria 1798–1799, incorporating a spring on the musket which engages the notch on the bayonet’s socket collar. The unfullered triangular blade and longer 3.00 in. (76 mm.) socket distinguishes the M1809 from the later M1839 bayonet.

Patterned after the French M1777 Charleville musket and designated the “New Prussian Musket,” these were made into the 1830s at the Prussian state arsenals. Commonly referred to by collectors as the “Potsdam musket,” they were made at a half-dozen arsenals, Potsdam being one of them. Many were altered to percussion during the 1840s and stored in war reserves as Prussian regulars were equipped with the M1841 Dreyse needle-fire rifle.

In 1861, the Union purchased 165,000 Prussian arms, most of which were obsolete smoothbore M1809 percussion muskets. Most saw service in the Western Theatre. By the end of 1862, these arms had served their purpose and were soon replaced with more modern rifled weapons.