About 1888 the Watervliet Arsenal began modifying these scabbards for the 1880 Hunting Knife; considered a far better modification than the ones issued through Rock Island Arsenal.
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Description
1880 Hunting Knife With Watervliet Arsenal Scabbard Modification.
Brass guard 1880 hunting knife made by Springfield has an 8.5″ long x 2″ wide x 1/8″ thick symmetrical blade. The turned wood grip is 4″ long and has a half inch chip in the center of the handle. No marks are found on the pommel. The guard is stamped “U.S. Springfield” on one side and a serial number “4275” on the opposing. The knife is well made and maintained, all components are tightly fit together. The blade has minor blemishes, a few small areas of light pitting, and faint sharpening from use, but is still shiny and the edge is sharp.
The leather scabbard originally has a standing loop for wear on the 1874 waist belt. In 1888, the Ordnance Department had both Rock Island & Watervliet Arsenals modify the scabbards to remove the loop and add a brass hook (manufacture beginning in 1889), similar to the new 1885 bayonet scabbard brass hook. The Watervliet Arsenal pattern showed a better design, using 4 round head rivets that attached to the hook, and finished flush on the back side, while the R.I.A. pattern used the standard rivets and washers (3). The back of the hook is stamped “WATERVLIET ARSENAL (in two lines).” The leather is in fine condition with light wear only.
Overall a very nice example with the lesser observed Watervliet modification.
Additional information
| Weight | 3 lbs |
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