US Model 1873 Bayonet for the Trapdoor Springfield

Here’s the bayonet for my previously posted Trapdoor Springfield. I was surprised to see what looks like rust in these pictures. You don’t see it when handling the actual piece. Regardless of whether it’s some weird lighting fluke or not, I’ll be oiling it before placing it back on the wall.

The Model 1873 bayonet was made for the 1873 Springfield Rifle, and is similar to earlier Civil War bayonets. Indeed, the Army had many of the earlier bayonets cold pressed to reduce the socket diameter to fit the ’73 Springfield. It’s the first US bayonet to be blued, and I think it’s the last of the US Army standard issue socket bayonets. It is marked with a “US” at the base of the blade, along with a small “s” beneath (Springfield?).

The scabbard shown is the 1887 version for the 1873 bayonet, with a brass hook permanently attached leather frog instead of a belt loop. This was intended to be inserted through one of the loops in the Mills woven cartridge belt, as shown. You’ll see this belt again in a later post.