A board of Navy officers under Dahlgren in 1869 recommended adoption of a .50 caliber centerfire rifle using the rolling block action to replace muzzleloading arms still in service. Some 22,000 rifles were ordered in 1870, to be produced at Springfield with royalties paid to Remington, but only a little more than half were accepted by the navy. Two types of sword bayonets are known to have been made for them. This is Harden’s Type No. II, with a 20 1/8 inch straight, double edged blade with a central fuller. The brass hilt is rather ornate. The grip is designed to look like overlapping fish scales while the pommel has a bird’s head beak with the insignia of the Navy Board of Ordnance, two crossed cannon superimposed on an anchor. The grip is rather bulky, with the stud groove set high, and the pommel has a hole in it to take the tip of the rifle’s cleaning rod, since the bayonet was mounted on bottom stud.

The blade is clean with scattered light mottling. There are a few edge nicks on both sides. The blade markings are weak. On the reverse: “1870/C.G.S./U.S.N.” On the obverse, only a few scattered letters are seen of the original “Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee/ Mass.” stamping. The brass hilt has a mellow age patina. There are small dings and use marks on the crossguard. The spring and locking button are present and functional. The “I.A.” inspector’s initials on the top of the pommel are visible amid some dings.

The accompanying leather scabbard is likewise in good condition. Scabbard has brass throat and tip which are still tightly attached. Scattered minor dings on the brass parts. Black leather body remains in excellent condition. Seam is still tightly stitched.

A scarce, regulation U.S. Navy sidearm.  [jet]  [ph:L]

[ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!