1784-1860:
Bayonets in 1784 were cavalry weapons that were used as a lance to stab their opponent with. The long blade of a spear bayonet was turned backwards when it was being carried and laid along side the barrel when it wasn’t needed for combat. During the 1800’s the sword bayonet was assigned to the volunteer regiment of the British army. The sword was made as a separate piece and meant to be attached to the musket when needed. The Mexican War in 1812 used bayonet models M1795, and the M1798. It was in 1841 when changes began to be made in the bayonets. The British patented a combination of a sword and a saw in one unit. It was for field engineering use only and was done as an experiment. It was around this time that other models were starting to be produced for specific firearms. The Colt model 1855 Revolving Carbine Artillery Model Saber Bayonet was originally meant for the Brazilian Naval Rifle but once the Civil War breaks out, they were rerouted to America. Many believe the ones that were sent to the US during that time were the ones with the serial number stamped into the end of the pommel instead of being stamped on the side.