Offered is an original Civil War socket bayonet battlefield relic reportedly recovered from the Weikert Farm area along Route 116 west of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The bayonet retains its original socket and long blade, with the end of the blade deliberately bent upward into a pronounced hook. Period bayonets were occasionally modified by soldiers for secondary field uses, including improvised digging and entrenching tools. Similar hooked examples have also historically been associated with the grim work of moving or recovering battlefield dead, although the exact purpose of this particular modification cannot be proven.
According to the accompanying original collector’s note, this bayonet was excavated on the Weikert Farm west of Gettysburg. The finder states that it was one of four bayonets personally recovered from the Gettysburg area and chose to leave the relic in its original, uncleaned condition.
The socket remains substantially intact, while the blade exhibits extensive oxidation, pitting, scaling, and surface loss from more than a century underground. Despite the heavy relic condition, the overall form remains very recognizable and the intentionally hooked tip gives the piece tremendous visual character.
Condition: Excavated battlefield relic condition with heavy oxidation, pitting, scaling, surface loss, and scattered flaking throughout. The socket and blade remain solid overall. The hooked end appears to be an intentional period modification. Includes the original collector’s identification and recovery note shown in the photographs.
A striking Gettysburg battlefield relic with excellent display presence, documented recovery history, and an unusual soldier-modified hooked blade.
Shipping included to the lower 48 contiguous United States.
Offered is an original Civil War socket bayonet battlefield relic reportedly recovered from the Weikert Farm area along Route 116 west of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The bayonet retains its original socket and long blade, with the end of the blade deliberately bent upward into a pronounced hook. Period bayonets were occasionally modified by soldiers for secondary field uses, including improvised digging and entrenching tools. Similar hooked examples have also historically been associated with the grim work of moving or recovering battlefield dead, although the exact purpose of this particular modification cannot be proven.
According to the accompanying original collector’s note, this bayonet was excavated on the Weikert Farm west of Gettysburg. The finder states that it was one of four bayonets personally recovered from the Gettysburg area and chose to leave the relic in its original, uncleaned condition.
The socket remains substantially intact, while the blade exhibits extensive oxidation, pitting, scaling, and surface loss from more than a century underground. Despite the heavy relic condition, the overall form remains very recognizable and the intentionally hooked tip gives the piece tremendous visual character.
Condition: Excavated battlefield relic condition with heavy oxidation, pitting, scaling, surface loss, and scattered flaking throughout. The socket and blade remain solid overall. The hooked end appears to be an intentional period modification. Includes the original collector’s identification and recovery note shown in the photographs.
A striking Gettysburg battlefield relic with excellent display presence, documented recovery history, and an unusual soldier-modified hooked blade.
Shipping included to the lower 48 contiguous United States.