What is this weapon?

[Mrpbody44]

This is driving me crazy I should know the name of this knife and what war it is from. Any ideas?

marked Springfield 3935

Information

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[browningautorifle]

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.

[Mrpbody44]

Thanks I have the scabbard as well

[Johnny Peppers]

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.

[browningautorifle]

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?

[Gibbs505]

What is underneath it?

[CobraGuy]

Yes that is the 1890 Entrenching Knife.

[Johnny Peppers]

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?

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.

[browningautorifle]

Is that one yours? The scabbard's exellent. Knife's just about perfect too!

[Johnny Peppers]

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.