This is a scarce original saber bayonet for the Mississippi rifle model 1841. It has a darker gray tone color on the very long 25-1/4 inch blade that has a pleasing dark color untouched look all over. It has the clear 1861 production date stamped into the metal at the base of the blade. These were made by the Hartford, Connecticut firm of Collins & Company. Collins made bayonet lugs with matching bayonets for some of the Mississippi rifle that they altered by the Colt Firearms Company. It has the small serial numbers on the top that would have matched the numbers on the lug at one time. The number that is stamped on the top of the brass handle is "216". The retainer button is present on the handle with the spring itself and they are frozen in place from age. The bayonet is missing the leather and brass scabbard as is so often the case. This is a tough bayonet to find for one of the most popular weapons of the Civil War era.