I didn't think about saber bayonets and the possibility that the 36" barrel Sharps took ONLY the saber bayonet? I guess that is a distinct possibility, which would make my theory impossible.

Do we know for sure that some 36" Sharps weren't made to take a socket bayonet as well as others being made to take a saber bayonet?

My bayonet IS a SOCKET bayonet. I didn't mean to confuse the issue, but I can see where the confusion begins - both the socket and the saber bayonets were made by Collins & Company. Both types were used on the M-1859, 1863 & (I think?) 1865 rifles.

The key, I believe, to unravelling the mystery of which Sharps rifle uses the .818" I.D. socket is to figure out what model Sharps Reilly is referring to in his figure B107 & B108 descriptions, in which he refers to a .817" socket I.D.?

pikeman

[Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers!]