British 1860 Pattern Enfield Short Rifle Yataghan Bayonet by Reeves
Single-fullered ‘yataghan’ downward-curving blade, cross hilt with lower quillon with round finial, and upper quillon projecting forward from the muzzle ring. Black chequered grips (technically, knurled) of pressed leather, attached to the exposed tang with four rivets. External leaf spring which actuates the locking catch, attached by a screw. Steel beaked pommel. Black leather scabbard with steel throat and chape pieces, the throat piece with oval frog stud, both with incised lines. Blade 22 7/8 inches in length (58.1cm), the bayonet 28¼ inches overall (71.6cm), muzzle ring diameter 20mm.
The ricasso of the blade is stamped on one side with a crown inspection mark with the letter ‘B’ for Birmingham, as well as ‘11/8_’ indicating the manufacture or conversion date November 188_ - the last digit for the year is extremely faint, possibly a ‘1’. The ricasso on the other side is stamped with a broad arrow over ‘WD’ indicating War Department property, and another crown inspection mark with ‘E’ for Enfield. The spine of the blade is stamped at the forte with the maker’s mark ‘REEVES’.
The exposed tang is stamped on one side with ‘3 J.P W.G 3’, the ‘J.P’ appearing to have been partly cancelled by denting. It is stamped on the other side with ‘E’. The pommel is stamped next to the end of the mortise slot with another crown inspection mark with ‘E’ and the numerals ‘23’. The pommel is also stamped near the leaf spring with the number ‘9’.
The frog stud of the scabbard is stamped with a broad arrow.
The blade has spots of heavy patination and a few spots of light pitting near the spine. A repolish would go a long way. A few tiny nicks to its edge, the tip is slightly rounded. The hilt, exposed tang and pommel have some scattered light patination and tiny dents. The leather grip slab on the locking button side has moderate handling wear, heavy wear to that on the leaf spring side, with some abrasion at the pommel end on both. The locking mechanism is fully functional.
The scabbard fittings have mottled heavy patination and a few small shallow dents, with some spots of light pitting to the chape piece. Each can move slightly but they remain stapled. The leather section of the scabbard has some surface abrasion, some superficial cracking near the chape piece, the leather is somewhat stiff but strong and well able to support its own weight. All of its stitching is present, a couple of loops possibly repairs, no opening of the seam. The scabbard is snug but the blade fully sheaths and draws.
