This bayonet came from the first real militaria collector that I ever met, Paul Jagger from Akron Ohio. Paul collected Civil War relics and was particularly interested in swords. I met Paul as a result of an ad he placed in the local paper in 1960, wanting to buy various war relics. Paul was my first mentor in the hobby. The bayonet shown here is the first trade I ever made with anyone. I had discovered a really ratty Confederate 1st Virginia Manufactory sword in a local junkshop for a buck, and Paul traded me this bayonet along with several others plus some cash for the sword. He could have had it for $5, and I never would have known the difference then, but he was not the sort of fellow to take advantage of a novice collector. Paul steered me to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association, and after attending my 1st gunshow, I was hooked! Paul’s collection eventually sold locally at auction.

This is the 2nd of the Brunswick pattern sword bayonets. It differs from the 1st largely in the locking mechanism. This pattern utilizes a rocking lever with an internal spring, whereas the 1st pattern uses the flat spring and a conventional press stud. The blade ricasso is marked “ENFIELD 1849” and stamped with a Crowned “E”. The pommel is numbered “174”. Scabbards for these bayonets are extremely rare. Very few have survived. This is a very graceful bayonet, reminiscent of the Roman-style short swords in use by many european nations during the early 19th Century. Although over 150 years old, decent examples of both patterns of Brunswick bayonets can still be found at CW Militaria Shows and the larger gunshows at reasonable prices.