17th Century British Plug Bayonet by William Justice

This is an attractive bayonet, made ca. 1664, that measures 17 7/16" overall, with an 11 5/8" slightly curved, single-edged, unfullered blade with 4 5/16" false edge. The steel has an overall mottled gray patina with spots of moderate freckling throughout. There is a clear "anchor" makers mark on the obverse forte (the mark of William Justice, who worked in the latter half of the 17th century), while traces of the same mark can still be seen on the reverse. The hilt has a brass guard with short, reversed-S quillons with teardrop finials, a darkly finished conical walnut grip with nicely finished bulbous top, and a brass pommel with exposed capstan rivet. The brass furniture has a pleasing mustard-colored patina with dark spots of freckling throughout, and the grip is in excellent shape with only minor handling marks and blemishes in the wood. A close examination of the marks indicates that the bayonet was used with a firearm that had a bore of approximately .82 caliber. There is no scabbard included. This is a very attractive bayonet, which has survived quite well over the intervening 450 years, and would make a wonderful addition to any collection.