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Henry Yataghan Sword Bayonet |
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details by Mick O'Shea |
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Henry
Yataghan Sword Bayonet
Though
this bayonet is often confused with the British service Pattern 1856
type, there are a number of obvious differences.
Being a contract bayonet, the ricasso has no service proofs or
inspectors marks, only the German manufacturer's mark, though the blade
is similar to the service model in other respects: about 28” long and
fullered on both flats for about 14.5”. The blade is slightly thinner,
both across the flats and across the back, and the height of the back of
the blade at the crossguard is lower than the corresponding part of the
handle, giving the blade an offset appearance.
The most obvious difference to the Pattern 1856 types is found in
the crossguard. This is
straight with no finials on either the muzzle ring or quillon, and the
spatulate quillon is swept back slightly.
The crosspiece is about 1/8” thicker.
The size of the hole in the muzzle ring is between that of the
Enfield and Martini-Henry rifle. The grips are leather, secured by four
rivets, only three being visible on the right side.
The press stud of the locking bolt is on the left side of the
beak shaped pommel, with a flat return spring on the opposite side,
secured by a screw. The
mortise slot in the pommel is fractionally smaller than that on the
Pattern 1856 types, and consequently will not fix on the Enfield or
Martini arms. The
scabbard is blackened leather with a steel chape and locket, the chape
having a straighter lower edge than the service model.
This bayonet was only used in New South Wales. Source: Skennerton, I.D., Australian Service Bayonets, (self published) Margate QLD, 1976, p.87. |
