British 1859/71 Naval Seaman’s Cutlass Bayonet

IN 1859, A CUTLASS SWORD BAYONET was designed for the Royal Navy after the introduction of a new short Enfield rifle for naval use.  Interestingly, the Admiralty were happy to use a traditional socket bayonet with the rifle and it appears unclear how they adopted this completely different design.  It is known that a trial bayonet was sent to HMS Excellent in 1858 and it is thought that this was to become the cutlass bayonet. 

The first type features a leather wrapped grip secured by steel rivets.  This was deemed unsuccessful and was swiftly replaced with a chequered or knurled leather grip.  The first pattern is very rare and seldom seen as it was replaced within 12 months.  Most were subsequently manufactured by German suppliers due to the inability of British sword cutlers to compete on price and also quality failings with an original order of 15,000 cutlass bayonets placed with Birmingham sword maker, Charles Reeves & Co.

© Harvey Withers Military Publishing, 2024

Taken from The British Sword – From 1600 to the Present Day – An Illustrated History by Harvey J S Withers – 12,000 full colour photographs – 884 pages

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