Dug M1855 Civil War Bayonet Converted and Crafted into a Candlestick – Excavated Near the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield

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Dug M1855 Civil War Bayonet Converted and Crafted into a Candlestick – Excavated Near the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield – We recently obtained a large collection of excavated artifacts from a long time relic hunter who searched primarily in Amelia County, Virginia and in the Petersburg area, in the late 60s to the mid-70s; he hunted along the retreat route and around the Sailor’s Creek battlefield, as well. Amongst the varied array of artifacts he excavated was this M1855 U.S. bayonet converted into a camp candlestick. The soldier skillfully cut off about half or more of the socket or musket attachment area of the bayonet, so that it might be utilized to hold a candle, to provide illumination during nighttime camp. The tip or point area of the bayonet was also cut off so as to allow the bayonet to be pushed into the ground, but not too deeply. The bayonet / candlestick is in overall very good, dug condition, with no flaking; we have chosen not to clean or wire brush this interesting artifact. The bayonet / candlestick measures about 11” in length.