This ones too big for the "Junk Jar"...

[Anonymous]

I dug this bayonett(?) about 2 years ago.It is 25 inches long overall with a heavy brass handle that is 4 1/4 inches long.The blade is heavy iron and is 1 1/2 inches wide at the handle end and tapers down to 3/4 inches wide near the point.The handle has a 2 inch long slot on one side (To attach to a rifle?) and a push button release on the bottom.I have no idea about the age or origin of this piece.(It has no markings that I can find)Anyone care to guess?

 

[Anonymous]

[No message]

 

[Anonymous]

...kinda slow, but lotsa info including measurements. Let us know!

 

[Anonymous]

1809 Prussian Potsdam musket bayonet. Found in a barnyard. <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

The one I posted about was ALSO found in a barn yard!I followed your link and mine is VERY similar to a British 1848 Brunswick.Nearly the same size,same type handle,same attachment slot,same locking button.It was commonly used by both the north and south during the U.S. Civil War....Mine is missing the gaurd and is badly pitted-but still solid.Thanks for your help!

 

[Anonymous]

[No message]

 

[Anonymous]

...but the musket was heavy and cumbersome and not rifled. Troops that were issued it complained about it and they were abandoned early in the conflict. Many of these muskets were finally supplied to homesteaders heading west.
Why in barnyards... pitched out with the manure one spring? <img src="/metal/html/shrug.gif" border=0 width=37 height=15 alt=":shrug">
Finding something like this has a way of making ya wonder what else was left in the ground as deep rusty iron junk? What kind of machine do you use, Dan?

 

[Anonymous]

For the last 7 years I have used a Whites XLT.It is now pretty beat up from 7 years of hard use-but still works fine.I have thought of replacing it-but really can't justify the expense,besides I kinda like it.I am comfortable with it and from the thousands of hours of swinging it,I know what the various weird sounds it sometimes makes usually mean.What do you use?

 

[Anonymous]

I found it in a barn loft and it has suffered from the moisture.I always wondered about it.I've assumed it was British and a model 1812.

 

[Anonymous]

I believe it is a British 1853
>>The Pattern 1853 Socket Bayonet was sometimes referred to as the "Common Socket Bayonet", as nearly every infantryman used it. It was originally issued for use with the Pattern 1853 Enfield Muzzleloader. Interesting note: the blade is slightly curved away from the muzzle of the rifle so the soldier could load the muzzle-loading Pattern 1853 without spiking himself.
Overall Length: 20.7 inches
Blade Length: 17 inches
Ever nice, CS. I have a hand-full of .577 caliber slugs from when these were firearms were converted to Enfield-Snider breachloaders.

 

[Anonymous]

...I have a Garrett 1250. Like you, I've got lots of hours of hard use in all kinds of weather. I've been lucky with it and pulled a good share of goodies out of the ground, but sometimess ya get that feeling that you're leaving some nice stuff in the ground that is just out of range. A nice comfortable machine and I'm comfortable with it, but every once and a while I'll go to the manufacture's pages and drool. <img src="/metal/html/wink.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

I spoke with a landowner who told me that it was not uncommon for his father to plow them out of the ground when he was a young man.The site was next to an early fort in the area here.He told me he used to have them hanging in his barn and his kids would play with them as swords.I have no problem believing that.Most of the large iron has been picked out the ground through the years and we are left with button and coin sized objects to search for.Many a farmer can show you cannon balls too.You just have to ask!Thanks for looking at mine.