October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
Regimentally marked Revolutionary War period bayonets are extremely rare, especially those with their scabbards. This wonderful bayonet grouping is complete with an old yellow tag which reads "Bayonet to Brown Bess carried by Private Parker in Revolution", as well as a smaller tag that reads "First Model Brown Bess carried by Pvt Parker during the Revolution". This bayonet was found with the musket marked to the 24th Regiment, which is also in this sale and is the proceeding lot. The 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot arrived in 1776 in Quebec to fight in the Revolutionary War. They were involved at the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga and the Battle of Saratoga. They returned to Quebec at the end of the war, and returned to England in 1787. This 1st Model Brown Bess bayonet measures 21-1/2" in length overall with a 16-3/4" triangular blade marked on the flat side near the top with a crown over 6, as well as a star. The socket measures about 3-15/16" in length and is inscribed "31 / c D". The bayonet is complete with its original, American made, black leather scabbard and buckskin frog and strap. CONDITION: Bayonet has been cleaned and shows some scattered areas of pitting, heavy in some areas. There is a minor crack below the ring at the top of the socket and one other minor hole. The bayonet now retains a mostly polished surface. The leather scabbard shows most of its original surface with crazing and minor surface cracking, about 1" missing at the tip. Strap is excellent, showing some staining and some crazing to surface. An extremely important Revolutionary War bayonet with excellent provenance. PROVENANCE: Purchased from James L. Kochan.