Elton Posted November 21, 2016 Share #1 Posted November 21, 2016 I got extremely lucky this weekend at the Dixie Classic gun show in Raleigh NC. I had seen the 1880 knife before in this dealers case but the price was more than I could handle. I was admiring it again and the man said to make an offer I did and he made one not much more than mine so I accepted. I was surprised to get such a nice knife for the money. It is a great knife and I was really happy to get it. Some times right place at the time really works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted November 21, 2016 Share #2 Posted November 21, 2016 Hey, you lucked out - congrats! Very nice looking. What markings are on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted November 21, 2016 Share #3 Posted November 21, 2016 Elton- Thanks for showing! Later version with brass guard, and I like the sheath. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted November 21, 2016 Share #4 Posted November 21, 2016 Elton Congratulations ! One fine addition to your collection. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 21, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 21, 2016 Thats a beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spathologist Posted November 21, 2016 Share #6 Posted November 21, 2016 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elton Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted November 21, 2016 US Springfield 4204 are the only marks on it. I cannot see any on the pommel and none on the scabbard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted November 21, 2016 Share #8 Posted November 21, 2016 Elton- I rubbed the pommel of my 1880 with pencil lead to read the info, that could help, plus you can rub it off with your thumb. I also used "Formby's Lemon Oil Treatment on the handle & pommel. Rejuvenates dry wood. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted November 23, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 23, 2016 If I hadn't talked the owner into lowering the price this would still be sitting in his boxes. Great grab at a good price, and I was tempted to get it myself, but the need for a new garage door had me temporarily out of the running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elton Posted November 24, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted November 24, 2016 Hey thorin6, glad you needed a garage door.LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45govt Posted November 25, 2016 Share #11 Posted November 25, 2016 Hello Elton Nice find. Yours was probably made in 1883 in the first run of the 5000 knives that came after the original 1000 iron guard knives with the Varney scabbard based on the scabbard you have. There were 5000 more ordered in 1884 The first 1000 were stamped with the inspector mark SWP and 1881 on the pommel, the subsequent knives had the brass guard and no stamp on the pommel. According to "Light but Efficient" the scabbard should or may have on the reverse inspectors initials V.L. and "WATERVLIET/ARSENAL" on the front of the scabbard, this will be in the area of the stitching just under the loop if it is the first model scabbard, but yours looks like the second model that the loop was enlarged on, so may only have the inspectors mark on the reverse, yours will be the second model if the loop is 3 1/4 inches. You can find a copy of Light but Efficient on probably any of the book search sites or e-bay it is by Albert N. Hardin, Jr. and Robert W. Hedden, the book is the only one I know of that is only on the 1880's Hunting knives and the 1890 Intrenching knives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elton Posted November 28, 2016 Author Share #12 Posted November 28, 2016 Hey 45govt, I have looked but cannot find any inspector marks on the scabbard. There is a number 2334 lightly punched on the front and a number lightly scratched on the brass retainer may be 2776. The loop measures 2 3/4 on the inside of the loop. I have no idea what they mean. Thanks for the information will try to find the book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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