*British, c.1856–1870, Pattern 1856 Yataghan Sword Bayonet by A & A.S. Schnitzler, Solingen, with Scabbard*
An original British Pattern 1856 yataghan sword bayonet, complete with its steel-mounted leather scabbard. The bayonet has the characteristic recurved yataghan blade with single fuller to each side and double-edged spear point, together with steel crossguard with muzzle ring, press-stud catch, and two-piece chequered grip scales secured by rivets. The ricasso is stamped A & A.S., identifying the Solingen maker August & Albert Schnitzler, a known German contractor producing British-pattern bayonets during the mid-19th century for military, volunteer and commercial supply.
The hilt has the correct beaked pommel with well-rounded end, housing a broad rectangular mortise slot with forward locking recess for attachment to the rifle bar. A small plain press-stud on the left side operates the locking catch via a long internal leaf spring recessed within the pommel and grip. The back of the pommel is straight and flat with a rounded underside, meeting the grips vertically in the usual Pattern 1856 manner. The grips are of two-piece chequered leather, the left secured by four small steel rivets, the right by three rivets together with the screw retaining the spring.
The straight steel crosspiece is of correct form, the lower guard tapering to a swept-forward disc finial, while the upper guard forms the full muzzle ring with matching forward-swept oval finial. The muzzle ring retains its original internal diameter consistent with the Enfield pattern and does not show evidence of later bushing, and the mortise slot appears to be of original form rather than a later Martini-Henry conversion.
The bayonet is complete with its original black leather scabbard with steel mounts and frog stud.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 57.5 cm. Overall length: 71 cm. Muzzle ring internal diameter: approx. 2.1 cm.
History Note:
The Pattern 1856 yataghan sword bayonet was introduced for use with the British two-band Enfield rifled musket and became one of the most distinctive bayonet forms of the Victorian period. It was designed for issue to rifle regiments and light infantry, elite troops trained to engage the enemy at longer ranges than line infantry, but still requiring a weapon suitable for close combat when necessary. The curved yataghan blade allowed the bayonet to be used effectively as a short sword in its own right, while when fixed to the rifle it provided sufficient reach to oppose cavalry or mounted opponents.
Large numbers of these bayonets were produced not only in Britain but also by contractors in Solingen, Germany, including August & Albert Schnitzler. Such makers supplied both government contracts and commercial orders, and examples without War Department ownership stamps are commonly encountered, having been purchased for volunteer units, colonial forces, or private and export markets rather than issued directly through the Ordnance system.
When the Martini-Henry rifle replaced the Enfield from the late 1860s onward, many Pattern 1856 bayonets were later altered for the new rifle by reducing the muzzle ring diameter and modifying the mortise slot, becoming known as the Pattern 1860 configuration. This example, however, retains features consistent with the original Enfield pattern.
*Condition*
Good overall with age-related wear throughout. The blade retains its correct profile with surface staining and patina consistent with age and service. Maker’s mark remains visible on the ricasso. The hilt and grips show expected handling wear. The press-stud catch is present but not currently functioning. The scabbard is complete with age wear including cracking to the leather and surface corrosion to the metal mounts. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAAOXBOO_1237231913
