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M1880 IRON GUARD HUNTING KNIFE AND VARNEY SCABBARD
– A VERY NICE SET: Finding
a complete set in such nice condition is a notable
discovery in today’s market. The knife is an early
three digit production and is in overall very good to
excellent condition, complete with a very legible "SWP
1881" cartouche on the top of the pommel cap. The blade
has a nice even patina, a smooth finish with no
pitting and the edge hasn't been sharpened out of form.
There are a few very minor dings in the edge at one
spot, but given the heavy use that many of these iron
guard knives were exposed to and that many have sizable
chips out of the blade edge, these are hardly
noticeable. The wooden handle is complete with no
chips, no cracks and a nice even color.
The scabbard
is complete with all the seams intact, the hinged brass
hanger in place and even the little security tab is
present. Overall it has a nice finish with the
normal crazing to the leather of the frog immediately
above the scabbard body. The reverse of the leather
belt hanger body is legibly stamped "WATERVLIET
ARSENAL". The main swivel and the hinged brass belt
catch do not swivel, but of the 5-6 of these early
scabbards I've had, none of the large swivels freely
moved and on only one scabbard was the upper brass hinge
mobile. The method of manufacturing, the aging and
shrinkage of the leather around the metal fittings, and
the exposure of the brass to the leather encouraging the
presence of verdigris, all serve to lock the once
mobile joints in place and any attempt to force them
would only result in the destruction of the piece. As
it is, on this scabbard, both points are intact and very
presentable and the lack of mobility does not really
affect the value in any way.
The Iron Guard
Hunting Knife with the matching Varney Scabbard are a
perfect accompanying piece to complete a display with a
Mills Woven Belt with one of the early “H” belt plates
and a Ramrod Bayonet Trapdoor Rifle. $2250
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