Description
Springfield M1880 Hunting Knife Indian Wars era brass guard type fighting knife in excellent condition; original Watervliet Arsenal scabbard included. Springfield Arsenal manufactured only about 11,000 M1880s – rare type.
This somewhat awkward knife was designed as “all-in-one” tool for skinning game, digging shallow trenches, clearing brush and, when everything else failed, as the last-resort self-defense weapon. The knife had a large cumbersome blade but its sharp edge could be utilized as a traditional hunting companion – dressing big game, as well as cutting and slicing. The M1880 was issued with the M1881 and the M1888 Rod Bayonet Rifles which were also manufactured at the Springfield Armory. The first group of 1,002 serial-numbered M1880s knives was manufactured in 1881. This 1st-issue type had iron guards; brass was used in later issues which were serial-numbered as well. All-in-all just about 11,000 were made from 1881 to 1885. The M1880 was used heavily during the Indian Wars and in the Western Frontier outposts. Most of M1880 blades are usually pitted, re-sharpened and corroded; original turned wood handles were prone to damage in the field and were frequently replaced. The survival rate of these cumbersome knives was low; only a fraction of the original-issue knives survived to the present day.
This brass-guard model specimen is in better-than-usual condition for the type as most of M1880 knives were used in the field as intended. Original turned and varnished wood handle is intact with no typical chips, cracks, or damage to the pommel. No damage edge nicks, chips, or ding marks on the blade’s spine. The brass guard is intact as well; it’s stamped U.S. / SPRINGFIELD on one side, serial number 4438 on the other. The stamps are sharp, clear, and fully readable – rare as such.
The knife is about s 13-1/2” / 34.2 cm overall; the blade is about 8-1/2” / 21.5 cm long and 2” / 5 cm wide. This knife is only slightly used – the edge has been very gently re-sharpened, the tip is intact. No chop marks, edge nicks, or dings on the blade – this M1880 is better-then-average condition for the type. Original “type 2” Watervliet Arsenal scabbard with a belt hook is in excellent condition as well. The original, “long swivel type” scabbard was modified and shortened in the early 1880s by Watervliet Arsenal – brass hook is stamped WATERVLIET ARSENAL on the back side. The scabbard is in excellent shape for the type – all stitching and metal parts are intact, no dings on the brass, the leather body is in great overall condition for its age. Brass throat and the belt hook haven’t been cleaned; nice original golden-honey patina throughout; some typical green oxidation residue between the brass and leather is noted for accuracy (cleanable).
Overall, only about 11,000 M1880s of all types were made, making it a very scarce and though-after Americana collectible. This Springfield M1880 Hunting Knife and its original Watervliet Arsenal scabbard are in excellent overall condition, considering the age. This type is VERY hard-to-find this nice; don’t miss your chance to add it to your collection!
This original Springfield M1880 Hunting Knife has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, it is in 100% original “as is” condition; these are the actual photos. I have several American Civil War era fighting knives and daggers, as well as some scarce WW1 and WW2 fighting daggers and trench knives available for sale – please take a look in our Militaria section.
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International shipping for this item will be $67 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list.
