U.S. M.1905 Bayonet

[calibre792x57.y]

This bayonet has always been difficult to find on this side of the pond but now those with early pattern scabbards seem to be getting scarce over there.  Here is a sleeper.   Has a bright blade and rust blue hilt.  Made by Springfield Armoury in 1909.  The back of the scabbard also has a small '09' stamped in ink on it.  These scabbards are fairly fragile, with wood liners covered in hide and then placed inside a canvas duck cover with a suspension hook., hence a low survival rate compared with the M.1942.  It was pretty dirty and had sleepy rust plus a small patch of pitting on the blade and has clearly been undisturbed for many years.  The cutting edges are ground very sharp. - SW

Edited 21 August , 2016 by calibre792x57.y
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[calibre792x57.y]

A close up of the ricasso marking.  The early production blades were polished but war time production had blued blades at first, then later parkerised.  The ridged wood of the grips also gave way to a plain sanded finish.  The rifle and bayonet were still in service with the U.S.M.C. during the early WW2 Pacific battles. I had a M.1905 with the 1905 scabbard which was stamped 'N.Z.' on the grips. When the Marines were eventually issued with the M.1 rifle and bayonet, the Springfields were passed to Home Defence units in New Zealand.  - SW

[dman]

Nice example of 1905 - many were shortened 6 inches during World War ii.  The length of the original 1905 (16 inch blade) was an impediment

when troops would mount/dismount vehicles

 

Finding unmutilated 1905 is difficult

[trajan]

A very nice item to have - especially with that scabbard!