Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Model 1873 "Trowel" Bayonet with a mostly-complete scabbard, only missing the belt loop with the U.S. rosette and the brass drag! Owning one of these is a must for any serious Springfield trapdoor collector, and offerings like this do not come by very often at all!

Designed to fit a 45/70 Trapdoor Springfield Rifle, these you just don't see anymore, especially in this condition, with all the original accessories. 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.

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 design was rather ingenious, and the wooden handle could be removed, allowing the trowel bayonet to be fitted on the muzzle and used as a bayonet, as the edges and point are sharp.

Unfortunately, the design proved to be insufficient as both an entrenching tool and a bayonet. While the edge is sharp enough to be used as a thrusting weapon against an enemy when fitted to the rifle, it is useless as a knife or any kind of close combat weapon. As a trowel it was not much better at digging holes due to the size and lack of a longer handle. One might think that maybe attaching it to the rifle to dig would work, but this was strictly forbidden, as it could bend the barrel or the rifle or cause other damage.

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 in spots. The blade is still partly bright, but there is definitely some staining and light pitting and wear. There are some areas of darker rust but it does look to be able to be cleaned up if you wish to do so. The wooden plug insert is well-retained without any serious wear, looking to be an arsenal spare or possibly a replica.

The bayonet comes complete with its original and rare leather covered tin scabbard, only missing the leather belt loop bearing and brass rosette and the brass drag. There is some rather extensive wear to the leather hanger, however these scabbards are rare in any condition.

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

Dimensions:
Blade length: 10”
Blade Style: Trowel
Overall length: 14 1/4”
Scabbard length: 11 1/4"