Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1873 Trowel Bayonet with Extremely Scarce Model 1868 1st Pattern Scabbard

Original Item. Only One Available. This is a great example of an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Model 1873 "Trowel" Bayonet with an extremely scarce M1868 First Pattern Scabbard! We have only ever seen one of these before, and that was over a decade ago! Owning one of these is a must for any serious Springfield trapdoor collector, and offerings like this do not come by very often at all!

Designed to fit a 45/70 Trapdoor Springfield Rifle, these you just don't see anymore, especially in this condition, with all the original accessories. These will fit any M-1873 Springfield trapdoor rifle that uses a regular ram rod. The rear portion of the socket rotates to allow it to be locked onto the barrel.

An ingenious bayonet in the shape of a gardening trowel, that when fitted to the muzzle of the rifle can double as an entrenching tool to dig in, or as a bayonet as the trowels edges are sharp, as is the point. The trowel bayonet was conceived to provide soldiers with a dual-purpose bayonet and entrenching tool. Following the U.S. Civil War, the conventional wisdom in the Army was that the bayonet was largely unnecessary and that soldiers should be individually-equipped to rapidly entrench without the need to bring entrenching tools forward by wagon.

The trowel blade is 10-inch long and 3 3/8 inches wide, with a reinforced spine. The hilt portion of the Trowel/Bayonet still bears its heavily blued finish. The blade is mostly dark, with heavy wear and some small chips to the edge. The wooden handle is missing, but the latching hinge is intact.

The bayonet comes complete in its rare M1868 First pattern scabbard, which is correctly stamped U.S. next to one of the seven rivets. This pattern has the extended belt loop attached by seven rivets. This frog is stitched to the trowel-shaped body. A wide brass scabbard tip is mounted on the end with two brass tacks. The stitching remains intact overall, with just some crazing to the leather.

A fantastic collector's opportunity! In excellent condition and ready to display!

Dimensions:
Blade length: 10”
Blade Style: Trowel
Overall length: 13 3/4”
Scabbard length: 10 1/2"