M1880 Ramrod Bayonet Rifles

[throck3]

Other than the slim pickings in the SRS books, does anybody know of any listings of units that were issued the Model 1880 Ramrod Bayonet rifles?
Thanks!

Rick

[Tom Trevor]

I have not seen one but read 25 th. Infantry also there is a letter to ordnance from Captain Arthur McArthur father of Douglas stating the rifles in Co.G 13th. Infantry shot off from sight settings. he was told to remove rod bayonet for target firing. They would have only tried that once as I found firing mine without it caused the flat spring to vibrate like a tuning fork.The entire rifle vibrated until the spring was griped. Not an answer for you but hope it helps a bit. I have since post gone thru the trapdoor books and newsletters , Report of the chief of ordnance 1881 and General orders 1881 as well. And found no notes on issues.

[throck3]

Thanks, Tom. About all I've found in SRS is Company C, 23rd Infantry. Very interesting about the vibration set up by firing after removing the bayonet.

[Dick Hosmer]

Per John McAulay's book "Rifles of the US Army", 900 of the 1014 went to the field. 200 went to San Antonio Arsenal. Other units mentioned are: Co. G 3rd INF, Co. B 6th INF, Co. K 13th INF, plus un-named units of the 4th, 15th, and 23rd.

In 1904, Rock Island had 234 rifles in storage.

I have an American Rifleman ad (pictured in my book) from the '50s offering an 1880 TRB, a blue belt, and box of 20 cartridges for $24.95!! That's about what you have to pay for ONE round of Benet IP today.

[throck3]

Interesting observation....I just took delivery of a very nice M1880 RRB Trial Rifle, and while doing a thorough cleaning I notice the bore tightens toward the muzzle when running cleaning patches through it. I'd noticed a frosty patch in the barrel there, but on closer inspection, I find that there is leading in the bore from about the front sight forwards. The rest of the bore is shiny with nice, deep rifling. The leading is coming out but slowly. It makes one wonder if this bore leading is another bi-product of the bayonet housing being brazed to the underside of the barrel and it's affecting the harmonics of the barrel. Hmmm.

[carlsr]

throck3, I do not believe that the leading in your barrel is due to the rod housing being brazed to the underside of the barrel. If that were the case then all my M88 rod bayonets I shoot regularly would also have leading, they do not.
Most likely the former owner was using incorrectly sized bullets???
I also have an M80 Ramrod bayonet cartouched 1881 which is in really nice condition. I will most likely never fire it as with my luck I’d mess it up LOL! I found mine at Cabela’s.
Have you tried J-B bore cleaning compound to remove lead? I’ve only used it once on one of my rifles but I found it to work rather well.