I thought that the buttons was in awfully good condition. Too bright and shiney, in almost new condition, to have been in use on an actually WBTS period Uniform. That is why I suggested that McQ have it examined by a qualified appraiser. If original in that condition it certain may have been something he would not want to be wearing as cufflinks.

The thing is we have by now almost completely destroyed McQ's family oral history. And left him with the question of where did these bittons come from?

I know how McQ feels. I have a four fluted bayonet that had been passed down through the family as being the bayonet carried by my Great Grandfather Wm. Laminack of co "F" Palmetto SC SS. In my research I have found examples of this bayonet all identified as being a French 1869 .45 cal bayonet for their earliest bolt action rifle.

Now my GGrandfather would have surrendered his Military Equipment at Appomattox, since that is where he recieved his parole. So it has always been a mystery to me as to where he came across this particular bayonet? Or why he would have even wanted it?

I have often wonder if maybe that particular style of bayonet had been used for an earlier French rifle and if then those rifles had been imported by the Confederacy of South Carolina from France and that was the way this bayonet found its way into the hands of a veteran of the Palmetto SC SS?

But That is one of those mysteries which there probably is no answer.