December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Blacksmith and cutler William Rose (1754-1810) was mobilized for active service with the Pennsylvania militia during the 1777 campaign, but spent much of the war making edged weapons, primarily bayonets, for the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety and the Continental Board of War. He had postwar contracts for the same with Federal government and in 1797 with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CP) to provide such for the 1797 CP muskets. In 1782, his shop was located in Blockley Township, apparently on structures and land previously (or still) owned by gunsmith and cutler Ludwig (Lewis) Prahl, who had similar contracts for muskets, swords and bayonets. It is believed that Rose originally worked for Prahl and then became a subcontractor to him after going out on his own and later forming William Rose & Sons, after relocating to Philadelphia in 1784. This bayonet, with the early "ROSE" touchmark on the flat of the blade, was made to fit a French M1766 musket or an American copy thereof. Although similar in overall form known examples from his 1792-1794 Federal contracts and his 1797 CP bayonets, experts seem divided in opinion whether this is a Revolutionary War or Federal era bayonet. It is 17 1/2 inches long, with a 2 7/8 in. L socket and 13 3/8 in. L triangular blade, the flat or inward face being unfullered. There is notable dings and hammering marks noted on the end of the socket, while the mortise for bayonet lug has been cut and crudely filed, probably to fit another musket from that intended. A fine reproduction of a US bayonet scabbard of the form used from c. 1790s-1820s conveys with the bayonet.