Also known as the "Rice Bayonet" after it's chief proponent, a Lieutenant Rice, the 1874 was one of multiple attempts to make a combat bayonet that, in a pinch, would also give the infantryman a tool to dig in and establish a fighting position regardless of circumstances. Circulars distributed by Rice called for an enlisted pattern with a sharpened false edge and a pattern for sergeants with a sawback spine. While actively promoted by Rice, it does not appear the design was accepted; like so many "multi-purpose" bayonets of the late 19th/early 20th century, concerns were had that designing a bayonet for something other than slashing and stabbing the opposition could compromise the effectiveness of the weapon. Some may have been made on a trial basis, or custom commissioned by Rice himself. 16 1/4 inches OAL, with a 10 3/4" blade with broad single fullers, unsharpened clip point and serrated spine, 2 3/4 inches wide across the base. The hilt is fine cast and sculpted brass, with a finely textured fish scale grip pattern. In the book "The American Bayonet 1776-1964" by Albert N. Hardin Jr., an identical example is pictured on page 210 and the Model 1874 entrenching bayonet is described on pages 209-212 in which it states, "In a lengthy letter to the Secretary of War dated March 18, 1878, Lieutenant [Edmund] Rice urged the manufacture of at least 1,000 of an improved intrenching bayonet having a weight of 21 ounces and a blade l1 1/2 inches long and 2 1/4 inches wide. Neither the endorsements to this letter nor any other records located indicate that any such bayonets were actually manufactured; hence our specimen may have been either from a trial run by the Arsenal or from independent efforts by the determined Lieutenant Rice. The latter possibility seems the more plausible; although two other patterns of this same basic design were to follow, neither of which have any official documentation of their issue. The texts on this arm say: 'The back of the bayonet blade for sergeants is made with a saw edge; for men in the ranks, it is made thin and sharp, and without teeth.' [quoted from a "Circular for the Information of the United States Troops, armed with Rice's Trowel Bayonet", Washington, D.C., 1875]" Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very fine, with most of the frosted nickel finish on the blade, mild spotting and light handling marks.