This is driving me crazy I should know the name of this knife and what war it is from. Any ideas?
marked Springfield 3935
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This is driving me crazy I should know the name of this knife and what war it is from. Any ideas?
marked Springfield 3935
U.S. model 1880 fighting knife. Early models had iron hand guard but this one is later with brass guard. Normally had a huge scabbard with it.
Thanks I have the scabbard as well
The knife was known as the Model 1880 Hunting Knife, and this was changed to the Model 1890 Entrenching Knife. The Model 1890 had U.S./1892 on the side opposite Springfield/Armory.
Yes, Johnny's correct but I always thought of it as a fighting knife. I believe it was on military issue, not civilian. I just didn't think it was worth editing my post to split hairs. But Johnny, I thought the entrenching tool was a bit different...different shape to it. Got any pics?
What is underneath it?
Yes that is the 1890 Entrenching Knife.
There was an intrenching tool issued around 1880 that had a wide 8" blade, but it had little use other than digging a hole. The Model 1880 Hunting Knife gave the trooper an intrenching tool that could at least be used for something else. I don't believe the edge was even sharpened on the 1880 knife. The knife itself was not changed with the 1890 model, just the designation.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../2iawxvk-1.jpg
Is that one yours? The scabbard's exellent. Knife's just about perfect too!
Yes, the knife is mine. Let a friend talk me out of it several years back, and just recently bought it back.
The scabbard originally had a leather loop to go over the cartridge belt, but most were modified with the brass hook. In the picture you can see the remnants of the Watervliet Arsenal stamp in the leather. The hook is marked Watervliet Arsenal on the back.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/e6r2oz-1.jpg
Here is some informatiom from M. H. Cole's book #3. pages 8,9, and 10. The book is out of print and runs about $100 right now. They are also in the new book "The Best of U.S. Military Knives Bayonets & Machetes by M. H. Cole - edited by Michael W. Silvey pages 13, 14, and 15. This book combines the Cole's books and runs $45.
JimF
From M.H. Cole's book #3 page 8:
Model 1880 Hunting Knife
In 1881 Springfield Armory made 1002 knives with the iron guard. All the later knives had a brass guard. Blade 8 1/2", 13 9/16, O.A. Oak turned handle. The knife shown is stamped with the serial no. 8 and the reverse is stamped "U.S."/"Springfield."
From M.H. Cole's book #3 page 9:
Model 1880 Hunting Knife
A very sturdy and handsome knife made at Springfield Armory, with a 2" wide blade 8 1/2" long. The handle is turned Maple giving it a length of 13 9/16" overall. The brass guard is stamped with serial No. "1229" and "U.S./Springfield" About 1002 knives , those made in 1881 had an Iron guard. The later one's had the Brass guard.
All scabbards were made of black leather and reinforced at the throat with a strip of brass. The first scabbards had a leather belt loop, which proved to be unpopular. After a series of complaints, Watervliet and Rock Island Arsenals modified them by cutting off the belt loop and adding a heavy brass hook.
From M.H. Cole's book #3 page 10:
Modle 1890 Intrenching Knife
In 1893 Springfield Armory made 501 knives of this pattern after the change in designation from Hunting Knife to Intrenching Knife. The knives were the same as the M. 1880 but were marked on the guard "Springfield/Armory" and "U.S./1892".
A total of 11,503 knives were made 1881-1893
Johnny Peppers photo's show an example with the type 3 scabbard with the shorter hook. The type 4 scabbard had a bit longer hook, and different rivits.
Great looking knife Mr. Peppers.