Excellent US Military Model 1816 Socket Bayonet

This bayonet measures 19" overall, with a 15 13/16" angular blade having a short single fuller, and hollow-ground back flutes.  The face of the blade has a deeply struck "US / EB" inspector’s mark, and the metal retains 98-99% of the original armory brown finish.  The socket measures 3" in length and has a series number stamp "E 43" just ahead of the T-mortise.  According to the "Regulations for the National Armories" (1816), bayonets were to manufactured in batches of 2,400, and numbered with letter prefixes for each 100 examples.  The letters "J" and "V" were not used, giving 24 possible prefixes.  This specimen is therefore the 43rd bayonet manufactured in its batch of 2,400, and was made at either Springfield or Harper’s Ferry.  The bayonet is in excellent, almost unissued condition, and would make a splendid addition to any collection.