This extraordinary American Revolutionary War era plug bayonet is a rare and highly impressive early American sidearm, complete with its original sheath and a rare companion leatherworking and repair awl affixed to the scabbard. The bayonet features a long, broad, double-edged blade with a strong central ridge, tapering to a sharp spear-like point and displaying an attractive aged steel surface with scattered patina and handling wear. The blade remains in notably strong collector-quality condition and includes a small circular aperture through the blade, adding further visual interest. The hilt is the true standout, with a richly detailed brass guard and langet assembly, ribbed quillons, turned decorative terminals, and an exceptionally attractive shell-form guard with engraved floral and foliate decoration. The central crossguard area displays a beautiful flower motif, clearly visible in the photographs, giving the piece far more artistry than a standard utilitarian bayonet.
The grip is a tapered plug-form handle, designed to fit directly into the muzzle of a musket or long gun. This construction identifies it as the earlier plug bayonet form used before socket bayonets became dominant. When inserted into the muzzle, a plug bayonet effectively transformed a firearm into a short spear, but also prevented the gun from being fired while the bayonet was mounted. This made plug bayonets important transitional weapons of the 17th and 18th centuries, used in military, militia, hunting, and defensive contexts before the widespread adoption of socket bayonets allowed soldiers to keep firing with the bayonet fixed.
The original sheath is itself a major part of the offering. It features a dark carved or formed body with brass throat and brass chape fittings, retaining strong age, patina, and period character throughout. Affixed alongside the sheath is a rare leatherworking and repair awl with a dark handle, brass pins, ribbed metal collar, and a narrow spike-like working point. This tool would have been practical for field repair, leatherwork, gear maintenance, stitching preparation, and general utility, making it an especially fascinating companion to the bayonet. The survival of the plug bayonet together with its original sheath and attached repair awl makes this a one-of-a-kind and visually remarkable set.
American Revolutionary War era plug bayonets are highly desirable because they represent the early and transitional world of 18th century warfare, when militia fighters, Continental soldiers, hunters, and private individuals relied on practical weapons that bridged civilian and military use. This example is far more decorative than most, with its ornate brass hilt, shell-form guard, floral crossguard motif, original scabbard, and rare leatherworking awl creating an exceptional presentation. It is an outstanding offering for collectors of American Revolution artifacts, Colonial weapons, early bayonets, Continental Army material, 18th century edged weapons, militia arms, leatherworking tools, and early American military history. We strongly encourage bidders to review all images closely to appreciate the blade, decorated brass hilt, flower motif, plug grip, original sheath, brass mounts, and attached leatherworking and repair awl present with this rare and beautiful piece.
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