Len S Posted 31 July , 2019 Share Posted 31 July , 2019 Here's a US M1910 Bolo knife and scabbard I recently acquired. The 1910's blades were made in the "white" with just the metal handle blued with the blue extending about a quarter inch onto the blade. The bolo locked to the scabbard by means of a spring latch in the handle that mates with a protruding stud on the scabbard. This feature was deleted from the later M1917 bolo knife. I've read that about 60,000 M1910's were made between 1911-17. This weapon was primarily intended for machine gunners to aid them in clearing paths of fire. They wound up in the hands of infantrymen as well though. A member of New York's "Harlem Hell Fighters" won renown for defending his listening post in no man's land from a German raiding party with his bolo after expending his ammunition. Here are some pics. Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dman Posted 31 July , 2019 Share Posted 31 July , 2019 Bolo knives were also issued to Hospital Units to cut saplings. The saplings would be wrapped in blankets to form a stretcher for moving casualties As you stated were also used by machine gun units to clear fields of fire around gun positions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 2 August , 2019 Share Posted 2 August , 2019 Fascinating item! One of the ideas behind the introduction of the German 98/05 'Butcher bayonet' was - it seems - that it could be used machette style fo clearing paths, making fascines, etc., the sawback version being specifically for pioniers = sappers.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 3 August , 2019 Share Posted 3 August , 2019 (edited) Yes The Private Johnson incident at Ville Sur Tourbie. Edited 3 August , 2019 by Martin Feledziak Because it is included in the OP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new3.2 Posted 4 August , 2019 Share Posted 4 August , 2019 There is also a second pattern scabbard issued by the US in 1918. It is of stamped, ribbed metal. The color is deep olive. There is no stud to capture the snap on the earlier models of the 1910 , but it will accept either bolo. If Chris is back from "over-there" I will ask him to post a photo for me. new3.2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark holden Posted 9 August , 2019 Share Posted 9 August , 2019 Here is the other pattern of scabbard I hasten to add I have no connection with this dealer http://www.regimentals.co.uk/viewphoto.php?shoph=65570&phqu=4 Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new3.2 Posted 11 August , 2019 Share Posted 11 August , 2019 Thanks for posting that image Mark. new3.2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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