Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Round Rod Bayonet Rifle made in 1891 - Serial No 514584 British Field Gear It could also be an

It could also be an early composite such as gutta percha

Here is a letter Rutila wrote 3 years before his death in 2005 to his relatives:

and still has the original issue "blunt" edge

The blade looks as if it has certainly seen it's share of fighting

Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Round Rod Bayonet Rifle made in 1891 - Serial No 514584 British Field Gear It could also be anOriginal Item: Only One available. The U. S. breech loading Springfield "trapdoor" rifle was introduced in 1873 in . 45 70 caliber. Basically it was the rifle the U. S. Army used to open the West and Springfield trapdoor carbines were used by Custer's Cavalry at the massacre at The Little Big Horn. This example has the breech block marking: U. S. MODEL 1884 In 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was introduced, which could double as a cleaning rod, a