Description
This is the lesser known of the Post Civil War Naval brass hilted bayonets for the U.S. Navy M1870 Remington Rolling block rifle Double edged, it features a 20″ blade, with an overall length of 25”. It features a distinctive solid brass hilt with a feather/scale design cast into the grip.
The Springfield Model 1870 Rolling-Block U.S. Navy Rifle was a shipboard small arm for use by the United States Navy, employing the Remington Arms Company rolling-block design, and manufactured under a royalty agreement with Remington. After the rifles were produced, Navy inspectors realized that the rear sights had been positioned incorrectly, and were dangerously close to the chamber, making the weapon unsafe for use. All 10,000 rifles were rejected, and were subsequently sold to Poultney and Trimble of Baltimore. These weapons were then exported to France for use during the Franco-Prussian War.
The sale of the defective rifles enabled enough funds to be recovered that the Navy Ordnance Department later ordered 12,000 Model 1870 Type II rifles, which were just a minor improvement to the Model 1870 and included changes such as the correction of the location of the rear sight.
M
U.S.N.
GGS
1871
The opposite side is stamped (though faded) with the manufacture info:
AMES MFG CO
CHICOPEE,
MASS.
The pommel is cast with the U.S. Crossed Cannons overlaying an Anchor and still bears the U.S. Inspector’s initials of G.G.S.. The blade shows use with some staining but has NEVER been sharpened post-war! Comes complete with brass mounted black leather scabbard. Would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!