US M1873 45-70 Bayonet, Hoffman Pattern Scabbard, Benicia Arsenal
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $275.00

Original era manufacture. Standard pattern 45-70 bayonet as used throughout the Indian Wars and Spanish American War. Beautiful satin blue finish to the blade and socket. There are a few minor nicks in the edges, but they do not distract from the overall fine condition of the bayonet. The scabbard is the real prize however, as it is clearly stamped on the reverse of the belt loop, Benicia Arsenal, one of the very few, so marked artifacts we have ever offered for sale. To add an extra cherry to the top of the pie, is that the frog & loop is of the experimental Hoffman device, which was a combination of two brass discs placed on the belt loop, which allowed the scabbard to pivot on the wearers body, thus preventing damage or tearing to the stitching of the loop. This pattern was further modified by the addition of a stop post, placed on the outer disc which prevented the 360 degree movement of the pivot, preventing the accidental instance of allowing the bayonet to fall from the metal scabbard body. For more information on this frog, see pages 166-168 in American Socket Bayonets & Scabbards by Robert M. Reilly. Ours is not pictured but most closely resembles figure S78. In 1912 Benicia Arsenal suffered a devastating fire which consumed the main store house, which destroyed most of the stores of small arms and equipment held there. This is the main reason Benicia Arsenal marked items are so scarce today.