Page 142 - 83-BOOK3

LOT 3224
Rare Model 1874 “Rice” Entrenching Bayonet - 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]”
CONDITION: Very fine, with most of the frosted nickel finish on the blade, mild spotting and light handling marks. Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3225
Rare Early Production “Iron
Hilt” U.S. Springfield Model
1880 Hunting Knife with Swivel Sheath
- Constructed from bright
steel with a ribbed wood
handle, 13 3/8 inches
overall, with an 8 1/2
inch single edged blade
set in a steel guard marked
“555”. With a black
leather sheath, two-
piece construction
with brass fittings
and Watervliet Arsenal
marking on the back of the
belt loop.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with the blade showing a mixed gray patina and
light spotting, and the grip some dings and dents. The sheath is very good,
with a well aged patina on the brass and mild cracks and scuffs.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
140
LOT 3226 Very Scarce U.S. Model 1868 Trowel Bayonet with Scabbard - , bright finish. Developed following the Civil War, the Trowel Bayonet was part of the age old battle between wanting to give the fighting man tools that will make his life better (and hopefully longer) and not wanting to overburden the trooper in the field. Many of the battles of the Civil War clearly demonstrated the virtue of being able to dig in when holding a fixed position, and it was hoped that a combined tool could do the job. The concept had enemies and supporters, the latter including Major Reno of Little Big Horn fame; in correspondence he lamented the fact that his unit only had 3 spades available when facing off against the enemy. Measuring 13 inches overall, the trowel features a blade 8 7/8 inches long and 4 inches wide, slightly concave along the top and featuring a prominent spine on the underside. The joint and socket are very similar to the then-standard bayonet, with the addition of a metal bow on the front of the joint to create a finger loop. Includes a brass-tipped brown leather scabbard marked with faint “PAT DEC. 1, 1868” (in reference to Felix Chillingworth’s patent 84,612) and “US” on the reverse of the belt loop. In the book “The American Bayonet 1776-1964” by Albert N. Hardin Jr., the Model 1868 trowel bayonet is described on pages 197-199 in which it states, “No patent disclosure is known to support the design configuration of this model [1868]. Further, no authority for its initial manufacture has been found, although at least three sources credit the National Armory with having made 200 during 1868 and 1869. Twenty-five of this pattern were submitted to the Board of Officers convened in accordance with General Orders No. 60, dated August 6, 1869, and No. 72, dated October 23, 1869. These bayonets were issued to the Battalion of Engineers for trial in the field; their favorable report undoubtedly did much to influence the Board’s subsequent adoption of the arm and its recommendation of further trials. From Willet’s Point, New York Harbor, on May 27th, 1870, a report was made to Brevet Maj. General A. A. Humphreys, Commander of the Corps of Engineers, on the performance of the 100 bayonets sent to that post for trial. Major Henry L. Abbott’s letter reports that they are unsuited for stacking arms, are unmilitary in appearance, and are impossible to use as digging implements for any length of time because of their uncomfortable grip...”The Model 1868 trowel bayonet has a solid fixed finger loop, unlike the subsequent Model 1869 that has a built in tampion to protect the muzzle end of the barrel. CONDITION: Fine with mostly bright surfaces, light pitting on the trowel, and moderate pitting on the socket. The scabbard is very good with some flaking, cracking and verdigris buildup. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500 LOT 3227 Very Scarce and Exceptional U.S. Model 1869 Trowel Bayonet with Scabbard - , bright finish. A follow-up to the Model 1868 Trowel Bayonet, the Model 1869 is one of the many attempts by the U.S. Army to develop and field a bayonet that could also act as a digging tool. The Model 1869 improved upon the previous model, now with the addition of a tampion to keep dirt out of the muzzle in response to concerns of soldiers attempting to use the tool for digging while fixed. The front of the finger ring has been replaced with a hinged arm, which can be flipped up to plug the muzzle with a replaceable felt or leather tampion. Overall length is 12 3/4 inches, with the lightly dished triangular blade measuring 8 3/4 inches long and 3 7/8 inches wide, with the spine profile, joint, and socket all closely following the then-standard U.S. bayonet pattern. “12” is marked on the edge of the flip-up block. Includes a brass- tipped brown leather scabbard marked with “PAT DEC. 1, 1868” (in reference to Felix Chillingworth’s patent 84,612) and “US” on the reverse of the belt loop. In the book “The American Bayonet 1776-1964” by Albert N. Hardin Jr., the Model 1869 trowel bayonet is described on pages 199-201 in which it states, “This bayonet was made as part of the initial lot of 200 completed at Springfield Armory in March, 1869. Apparently no more were made, and their actual number cannot be determined in the light of the mixed production run. The basic design of the M1869 is covered by Letters Patent No. 91,564, issued to Edmund Rice on July 22, 1869... At the time the swiveling tompion device was no doubt deemed an improvement over the standard M1868 type. The Chief of Ordnance complained that the trowel bayonet encouraged soldiers to dig with the bayonet fixed.” CONDITION: Very fine with bright surfaces, and some light pitting. The scabbard is fine with some light cracking, verdigris buildup, and a loose brass tip. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
AS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE AMERICAN BAYONET (1776-1964) BY HARDIN, JR.
SIMILAR EXAMPLES PICTURED & DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE AMERICAN BAYONET (1776-1964) BY HARDIN, JR.