U.S. bayonet or knife?

[gavinhoward]

Hello

I am a new member, like so many initial interest started with Grandfathers war....he was one of the fortunate ones and survived after being wounded badly by schrapnel to the back.....like so many he talked little of his experiences a few stories but little, he did mention Ypres...he was first in the Middlesex Regiment and then the Labour Corps (i know little of his service and hope to fill in the gaps) well that is my intro.

Can anyone help identify this weapon, it was his, came back from the war and was used to Kindle wood to keep him warm in the winters!

Blade length = 10" plus a little (tip to finger guard)

Maximum depth of blade = 2"

Maximum blade thickness = 3/8"

Their is a hole in the top of the finger guard measuring 1/4" diameter

The wooden handle is screwed on

on one side the blade is stamped with the following:

"U.S.

10D.1917

C.T"

on the other side the blade is stamped with the following:

"A.C.C.O

CHICAGO

1918"

all text as indicated is in CAPITALS

Can anyone help me.

Thank you

Gavin

[findabetterole]

Hello Gavin,

Firstly, I'm no expert on American military fighting knives, but this to me looks like its a theater made item. From the disrupted lines of the top forward cutting edge, the same for the bottom forward portion of the blade, and the overall looks.... it apears that a Machette has been used as the base item. I'm certain that a more knowledgeable member than myself could correctly identify this, for I know there were AEF fighting knives of this form. However, I'm not convinced in this case.

Seph

[gavinhoward]

Hello Gavin,

Firstly, I'm no expert on American military fighting knives, but this to me looks like its a theater made item. From the disrupted lines of the top forward cutting edge, the same for the bottom forward portion of the blade, and the overall looks.... it apears that a Machette has been used as the base item. I'm certain that a more knowledgeable member than myself could correctly identify this, for I know there were AEF fighting knives of this form. However, I'm not convinced in this case.

Seph

Hello Seph

Thank you for the prompt feedback, your opinions is valued and yes the geometry is a little odd, but when you hold it..it certainly feels well balanced and "effective"

Lets see is anyone else can shed some more light.

Gavin

[philtaylor]

http://arms2armor.com/Knives/1917bolo.htm

[Dan Brock]

A pre-war example in wear...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cODTxzY0ZGg/R-__...eBorder1914.jpg

It was issued to machine gunners as a brush-clearing tool.

Hence the bevel is only on the right side of the blade to make a more effective chopper (for those of us who are righties).

It was a tool first and foremost.

[findabetterole]

Thank you Phil1964.. I've just learned something!

Seph

[Gunner Bailey]

I believe the Bolo knife came out of the US Marines experinces in the Phillipines before WW1.

John

[4thGordons]

I believe the Bolo knife came out of the US Marines experinces in the Phillipines before WW1.

John

These, with slightly differently shaped blades often show up in acutions etc described as "Medical Bolo Knives" or "Hospital Bolo" - which always raised rather worrying questions in my mind! - however as I understand it, their use was as suggested here (for machine gunners) was for brush clearing, constructing litters etc

See HERE

Chris

[philtaylor]

The Hospital Corps bolo is a different animal

[philtaylor]

compared to -

[TonyE]

Thanks for the clarification Phil.

Now I can see the difference it is obvious which one I would rather have used on me in hospital!

Cheers,

TonyE

[gavinhoward]

Thank you all for your input and knowledge, i have learned something about this item, can anyone help with the identification markings and their meaning?

and the reverse blade markings

[gavinhoward]

Hello All

Thank to Chris (4thGordons) for the link to the Springfield web site, they have been very helpful with a reply as follows:

"You have a Model 1917 C.T. Bolo Knife made by American Cutlery Company of Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1918. The Springfield Armory made nearly similar Model 1910 bolo knives from 1910 through 1917, at which point two civilian companies were contracted to made them: Plumb and A.C. Co. Unlike the Springfield counter part, these M-1917 did not have a scabbard catch. I do not know off-hand how many were produced, yet most were shipped to the AEF for further selective distribution to Allied Forces"