Catalog Auction info Auction #136 - Two-Day Sale, November 19th & 20th (#136) 11/19/2022 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/19/2022 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #161 Extremely Rare Benton Experimental Combination Bayonet, Field Knife, and Entrenching Tool Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$18,000 Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 Description Description: This is a wonderfully finished and rugged example of a unique combination bayonet entrenching tool, submitted to the Chief of Ordnance by Lt. Colonel James Benton, Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, whose design this was. The blade is clip-point with a dual tooth saw-back for just over 3/4 of its length. The blade is nearly 11” long and is dual hollow ground with a strengthening central medial ridge, the true cutting edge a roughly 1/4” bevel along the lower edge; the blade is roughly 1/8” thick and 2 3/8” in width and the arm has an overall length of about 15 1/4”. The blade is fastened by steel rivets to a heavy cast bronze socket-shaped handle with ridged grasping grooves left and right with a further rope-like pattern for additional purchase, and a socket mortise cut from the rear. The intention of the tool is to be able to utilize the blade as a hunting knife, socket-equipped for use as a bayonet, and the wide blade for use as an entrenching tool as well. A very interesting attachment design, the L-shaped mortise features no locking ring, rather there is a lobe cast-in the bottom (or right) rear edge of the bayonet which has a small groove cut in, which contacts the cleaning rod of the rifle, that rod acting as a detent and locking the bayonet in place, a design Benton utilized so that existing rifles could use the bayonet without any modification. The length of the socket is 4 1/2” with an interior diameter of 3/4” and was obviously designed to fit the trapdoor rifle. The blade itself is a pleasing smooth pewtery patina with very light scattered speckles of oxidation freckling here and there but no mentionable pitting. The cast handle is a warm ochra patina and rates very fine to excellent. Benton designed two models of this bayonet, one slightly lighter weighing about 11 ounces, and a second heavier iteration weighing about 17 ounces. On April 22 of 1878 the Chief of Ordnance forwarded Benton’s tool to the Secretary of War recommending that it be referred to the General of the Army, Sherman’s response on April 24 was simple and favorable “I think well of this weapon” and recommended future trials. Benton’s combination tool was listed in the “List of Models and Specimens” from the Army Equipment Board for the Springfield rifle, caliber 45 (actually listed as “fixed bayonet, hunting knife and entrenching tool from the National Armory”) as well as in the “List of Articles, Drawings, Etc. before the Equipment Board” as being examined, along with several other competitors, on March 6, 1879 (U.S. Military and Experimental Entrenching Tools © Donald J Hartman). The subject bayonet listed here is the later, heavier 17 ounce version, identical to the one in the Smithsonian Institution, and is evidently one of only two other specimens known, whether this is the second specimen or a third specimen which is just surfaced we cannot say with certainty. What we can say is that this is an extremely rare example of an American combination bayonet, submitted by the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory himself to the Ordnance Board, for the advanced martial or bayonet collector, and an opportunity which will not present itself again likely in this lifetime to obtain what is arguably the “Holy Grail” of American bayonets. (3F10483-386) [Perry White Collection] (8,000/12,000) Categories: edged weapon Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. 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GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. Because we do not open at the absentee bidder's top bid (unless that is the next competitive bid) there is a chance that the absentee bidder's bid may tie with a bidder using a different bidding method (live, Proxibid or telephone bidder). If an absentee bidder wishes to guard against this occurring, they may complete an absentee bid form with a "+" after the bid amount and forward that bid sheet to our office to be entered by Amoskeag. When a "+" is added after the bid amount, the bidder authorizes Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. to make one additional bid in order the break the tie. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges. Properly registered Amoskeag On-line bidders may use this service free of additional charges as an alternative to telephone or absentee bidding, at their election. On-line bidders should be aware that the sale sometimes proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All absentee/telephone bidder invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale; all invoices are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or by credit cards listed above. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. SHIPPING • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will make every effort to ship items in a timely fashion. All items, with the exception of modern handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made. All merchandise is shipped Signature Required. • All modern handguns are shipped via UPS Next Day Air service. • Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and for insurance on the items being shipped. Purchasers who self-insure can forego insurance charges if Amoskeag Auction is notified of your intent to self-insure. PICKING UP MERCHANDISE • Pickup will be by appointment only. • OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday. • Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
