Civil War cadet bayonet West Point VMI rack numbers M1851

Description

Civil War cadet bayonet West Point VMI rack numbers M1851. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
This is an original M1851 Cadet bayonet.  Measures 16 inches, two inches shorter than the standard 18" bayonet, which was the standard length for the cadet bayonet.  Three hundred and twenty three of these were sent to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1856, and were rack-numbered in numerical order.  This cadet bayonet has the rack-number 305 on the underside of the shank, as seen in the photo.  This one has a second numerical stamp on the shank, I do not know the significance, though I can say it was standard practice or Military Academies to number the bayonets and muskets/rifles to match.  It is possible this specimen saw time at a second Military Academy.  Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and The Citadel (in Charleston Virginia) were both known to have used these bayonets, in addition to West Point.
Condition is very good to fine, with a nice aged patina, minor surface oxidation, no pitting.  The locking ring moves easily with full range.