Original Item: Only One Available. Designed to fit a 45/70 Trapdoor Springfield Rifle, these you just don't see anymore, especially in this condition with the wood handle insert. 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 trowel's 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 still mostly
bright, with just a tiny bit of staining and wear. Latching hinge in the socket is fully functional, and this example still includes the EXTREMELY RARE original wooden handle! It is a wooden rod with a curved end, which has a metal stud that locks it into the bayonet catch for the sight. It doesn't add much in length, but it definitely allows a much surer grip when "digging in." The Lightly knurled grip section is in excellent shape, with a faint patent marking on the right side above the hole for the front sight: PAT APR 16TH 72. Unfortunately there is no scabbard.

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

Dimensions:
Blade length: 10”
Blade Style: Wide "Trowel"
Overall length: 16” (with handle)