Description
This is a standard pattern Civil War socket bayonet but made specifically for the Colt M1861 “Special” rifle musket which has a slightly larger diameter barrel than standard Civil War Union rifled muskets. It was manufactured for Colt under direct contract with Collins and Company of Hartford, Connecticut. It is estimated that only about 10,000 were actually produced and delivered and all are marked on the socket with C & Co. stamps. It is identical in all other respects to a standard .58 socket bayonet but again, is slightly larger in diameter as made to fit the steel barrel of the Special pattern weapon.
