Mid 1800's Socket Bayonet

[Aragorn243]

Not sure what this is. I picked it up Saturday for $40 at an antique shop. It was covered with silver paint which I have removed.

Two distinct markings. An R F in a rectangle and an "8 pointed star" just under the muzzle ring. There is a third more indistinct marking at the bend before the blade. Appears to be an N or a Z inside a diamond. There are also some hatch marks on the side to the blade which seem purposely put there but no idea why.

It looks like an 1842 bayonet without the US markings. I read that not all were US marked, especially Confederate examples. RF comes up as a French company but the only example I found was not like this one and was on a 1700's bayonet and was a large font stamping. This one is small.

Overall length is 20 1/4 inches.
Blade length is 18 inches.
Blade width at maximum is 7/8 inch
Muzzle ring is 2 5/8 inches.
Muzzle interior diameter is 7/8 inch.

Information

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