US Army troops out on the Plains in the Indian Wars faced the constant challenge of obtaining sufficient fresh and nutritious rations for their arduous campaigns. They were frequently issued old crates of salt pork dating back to the Civil War, often more dangerous to the men than Indian arrows or bullets. Hunting parties brought in fresh buffalo meat to augment the frontier Army's staple: beans, which alone were expected to sustain a unit through the leanest times. The soldiers were issued the M-1880 hunting knife to assist in taking and preparing that game, and the knife was carried in a sturdy black leather scabbard worn on the belt. This US Army Indian Wars Springfield Armory 3 Digit Serial Number M-1880 Hunting Knife is in Good Condition, with some light rounding to the blade tip, some sharpening to the blade edge, some light nicking to the lower blade edge, some cleaning, scratching, and pitting at each side of the blade, some pitting and casting lines to the guard, a sizable dark chip in the upper inner edge of the handle, a bit of loosening to the handle, and with some scattered age wear evident. Otherwise, the knife is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a bright 8 3/8” single edge spearpoint blade with a pronounced fuller running nearly the length at each side, sports the classic turned and grooved oak handle, and is “U.S.” stamped with serifs at the left side of the cast brass full guard, along with its maker, the famous “SPRINGFIELD”. It’s marked with the low, early 3 digit serial number “314” at the right side of the guard, and is complete with the original US Army Indian Wars 2nd Pattern M-1880 Hunting Knife Dark Brown Leather Scabbard in Good Condition, with some weakening and surface cracking along the middle front and back of the leather belt hanger, some drying and crazing to the rest of the leather body, and with some overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it bears a fully intact brass belt hanger riveted to the upper back, distinguishing it as the 2nd Pattern, carries a brass reinforced throat that houses the knife securely with a tension system, and is stamped at the middle back leather body with its maker, the famous “ROCK ISLAND / ARSENAL”, with the inspector initials “S.R.” and “W.T.G.” marked above and below, respectively. It exhibits “R.I.A.” stamped with serifs along the back of the brass belt hanger, and the set is a fine example of a very rare, original US Army Indian Wars Springfield Armory 3 Digit Serial Number M-1880 Hunting Knife.