This style of British bayonet is the subject of much speculation as to its designation and if it was ever officially issued.

New research by David Harding on the history of the East India Company (EIC) ^[1] has revealed that in the period 1771-72 the Board of Ordnance made a trial issue of some 600 bayonets with 'Springs' for muskets of Long Land Pattern.  But they were never officially adopted.

In addition during the period 1799-1800 the Board of Ordnance examined the EIC Windus pattern bayonet of 1771,  which led to the development of the New Land Pattern socket. 

Also a very rare example of a Shield Bess with 4" socket  (Pre-1750) has been found with a spring,  this may be one of the 'Bayonets with Springes' ^[2] mentioned in East Company Records in Fort St David, Madras during 1724-25.

 

There appears to be quite a few different styles of spring.  Its also worth noting that the screw used to secure the spring is counter sunk in all examples I have examined,  such that it is almost flush to the surface of the spring.  This is in contrast to that of the New Land pattern which has a very large screw which projects 4mm from the spring. 

The top bayonets socket is marked 'GR^s 86',  Grenadier Company weapon 86.

These pictures illustrate the rear shoulders of both bayonets,  its interesting to note that both are of pre-India pattern.  This would suggest that if these were converted for volunteer units in imitation of the New Land pattern socket introduced in 1802,  then they may have been made from old stock.

Blade of top bayonet marked with a capital 'E',  the blade of the lower bayonet is marked with a partial '2' mark.

(1) Small Arms of the East India Company 1600-1856 Volume I Procurement and Design by D.F.Harding

ISBN 09530853-0-9 or ISBN 090530853-1-7,  Page 193.

(2) Small Arms of the East India Company 1600-1856 Volume IV The Users and their Small arms by D.F.Harding

ISBN 09530853-5-X or ISBN 090530853-4-1,  Page 160.