✅ SOLVED Tip of bayonet

[mspence]

Wondering if this is a bayonet tip, found in a CW camp area.











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[TheCannonballGuy]

It is the broken-off tip of a civil war "socket" bayonet's blade. It appears to be from a British-made Enfield bayonet, which was used mainly by the Confederates, but the yankees also imported huge numbers of that kind.

I can't quite be sure from your photos of the still rust-covered bayonet tip whether all three of its sides are "fluted" (concave), or whether one of the three is flat. If all three are concave it is from an Enfield. If one is flat, it is from a (strictly-yankee) Springfield bayonet.

 

[mspence]

Awesome info, all 3 sides are fluted. Did they use bayonets to mark graves by any chance? I found this tip stuck into the ground straight down in an area that appears to be riddled with sunken graves. Thanks again

 

[mspence]

Can you check out my posting just prior to this one, like to see what you think about the lead button I recovered. Thanks

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Mspence wrote:
> Did they use bayonets to mark graves by any chance?

I've never seen any written record of such use in the civil war. No way to attach a name onto the bayonet (except for a piece of paper which only last a few days) to signify that it marked a grave. But I've read of bayonets being stuck in the ground as a temporary horse-tether, a candleholder, and a tent-stake.

 

[mspence]

Ahh Makes much more sense and I feel loads better now. Just started to ponder it say after I dug it and wanted to ck. thanks again