Mexican M1897 Bayonet for the Remington Rolling Block Rifle
Straight fullered knife blade with spear point. Hilt with muzzle ring and forward curving quillon with ball finial. Exposed steel tang and steel beaked pommel with locking button. Wood slab grips secured by two rivets. Plain steel scabbard with ball finial at the chape, oval rear frog hook. Black leather integral frog with brass rivets. Blade 8 1/8 inches in length, the bayonet 12½ inches overall, muzzle ring 15mm in diameter.
The blade is stamped in the fuller on one side with the maker’s mark ‘REMINGTON ARMS Co. ILION, N.Y.’
In 1899 Mexico purchased 7,702 Remington No. 5 rolling block rifles chambered in 7mm, which Remington designated the Model 1897. These rifles were fitted with a mixture of long and short bayonets, this example being the short type which was introduced first and made exclusively by Remington.
The blade has areas of heavy pitting and dark patination, impacting the edge in places. The tip is rounded (approx. 1mm). The hilt and pommel are similarly pitted in places, the quillon has some scraping and is slightly bent to one side. The locking mechanism is fully functional. The wood grips have some denting on both sides. The scabbard is free of dents and has a patinated finish. The frog is missing its upper two rivets.
