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Colonel's Purchase Bayonet for the 3rd. Guards

Dateca. 1710-1720

Attributed to William Predden

MediumIron and steel

DimensionsOverall: 21 1/16"; Socket: 3 3/4"; Shank: 1"; Blade: 16 3/8" x 15/16"; Bore: 15/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2024-177

DescriptionPre-standard form of the "Brown Bess" bayonet, with an open socket cut for a three-step mortice, which meets a short shank with a rounded "shield." Narrow, hollow triangular blade meets the opposite end of the shank with a very prominent and separately applied semi-circular guard.
Label TextOf the form though to be the first type of triangular bayonet made in Britain, it is identified by a socket made without a reinforcing ring at its rear, a broad "shield" where the shank joins the front edge of the socket, and a high guard at the base of the concave-sided triangular blade. In this age of pre-standardization, many variances occurred, and this bayonet had a shorter shank than most seen on the few survivors of this type.

Through the distinctive weapon number "10" engraved on the socket, this bayonet can be identified as being part of the stand of arms purchased by John Murray, 2nd Earl of Dunmore (1685-1752) around 1715. For forty-two years Dunmore commanded the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, later known as the famed Scots Guards, and this stand formed part of their early armament.

The majority of the muskets forming the surviving group were made by London gunsmith William Predden, and many carry the regimental inscription EARLE OF DVNMORE engraved into the barrel. Some are also engraved with either a "Crowned AR" cypher for Queen Anne (1702-1714) or "Crowned GR" for George I (1714-1727), helping to date the entire stand of arms. Each is crudely engraved with a distinctively styled numeral on the wristplate, ranging from "2" to "29" (as observed). Musket "5" is in Colonial Williamsburg's collection (1982-8), though its barrel engravings are all but effaced.

Just as the muskets were numbered, so were their bayonets, and this example is. number "10." Companion musket "10" has yet to be identified amongst the few survivors of this remarkable stand of regimental arms.

InscribedSocket engraved "10." Two ticks are filed into the back edge of the socket.
Provenance[Antony Cribb, Ltd, Summer Virtual Fine Antique Arms & Armour Auction, July 2, 2024, Lot 594]; 2024-present, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)