Early American Homestead Yields a Sword Bayonet

[Lcb24kt]

Today I took advantage of some warm weather and detected the site of an early american homestead...I found a few musket balls and then towards the end of the day I got a signal on my F-75 that hit 81 with low confidence but it sounded like a deeper target so I decided to dig it. I dug down about 8 inches and found what I think is a sword bayonet. When I got home I started to do some online research and I think I found the exact one...French Model 1866 "Chassepot" Yataghan Sword Bayonet (images attached)... According to my research the makers mark is located on the blade but as you can see from the photos the blade is pretty corroded. I'll try to clean it up and hope a makers mark is still visible. Any suggestions on how to clean and preserve?

 

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[laurenB]

Great find!

 

[carcusrex]

Good job.

 

[dig kzoo]

Wow that's cool, cant wait to see it cleaned up! HH!

 

[treblehunter]

Can't remember who posted it, but they did a cleanup with vinegar and it was amazing the results. That's a really cool find, congrats!

 

[g-olden years]

AMAZING! Congrats & hope it cleans up well too. Andi

 

[Ahab8]

That's a great find, congrats! You will have to figure out exactly what the metal composition is of the bayonet and go from there. I use apple cider vinegar on any worthy iron relics that I dig and it slowly removes the rust. I use a scrubbing brush every few days to remove the rust a little at a time and change the vinegar every few days. Good luck.

 

[Tired Rooster]

That is really cool......

 

[TNGUNS]

Wow....... absolutely awesome find. Congrats

 

[Lcb24kt]

While doing more research I found a technical drawing for the sword bayonet and the rifle it would belong to

 

[markbnal]

nice

 

[markp]

nice find

 

[wvwildman]

nice find congrats HH

 

[Diggin'PA]

Way to go Lisa! Awesome find! That's the way to kill 2 birds with one stone, finding a bayonet and sword in one shot! Congrats, can't wait to see how it looks all cleaned up. HH

 

[Ifoundit69]

That's a heck of a find ! WTG

 

[Coilcrazy2]

Sweet find!!!! I'd love to see that thing all cleaned up. I bet your glad you dug that big signal
~CC

 

[TheCoinKid]

Wow, love it.

 

[romeo-1]

That's a sweet find!

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Fantasic find for sure, congrats.
ZDD

 

[Fyrguy86]

Now that's a great find! Congrats