WW1 US bayonets in the Pacific Theatre

[navydoc16]

A fun subset of collecting is reading into the history of these bayonets and their quite long life. In Australia US bayonets are somewhat uncommon and also not particularly valuable compared to commonwealth pieces.

As such, apart from the cheap M7s that make their way everywhere, the remaining M1917 and 1905s tend to be “original” pieces to Australia, in that they came to Australia with troops heading to and from The Pacific Theatre. 
 

Many Marine units were outfitted with Springfield 1903 rifles in the beginning of the campaign, many auxiliary troops with the M1917 rifle, and some with combat shotguns taking the same bayonets.
 

So the US refurbished these older bayonets and sent them to the front. Both of my pieces show proper use age as well as the blacker blueing applied during the refurbishment.
 

the original leather scabbards were ditched and new scabbards were made in plastic.

the my M1917 is showing signs of rust specifically at the contact surface, and my 1905 is just generally tired.

When the M1 rifle was finally adopted the troops returning to Australia the existing rifles and bayonets, many given to Australia as unofficial lend lease for guard duties around various facilities. Post war for years actually unissued M1917 and 1903 rifles and bayonets still turn up from time to time

the funny part about my older 1905 is that despite being made in 1909 pre WW1, it was refurbished unofficially in the field by a soldier with the black plastic grips from the shortened M1 bayonet.

Despite being issued the M1 rifle and the older 1905 bayonet still fitting, some US soldiers preferred to keep the longer bayonet for jungle fighting against the Japanese, whether it was a perceived or actual advantage, these field modified bayonets do turn up from time to time, and show heavy use.

kind regards

g

Edited 31 August by navydoc16

[navydoc16]

The M1917 in use on both the rifles and “trench” shotguns 

[GWF TEAM]

WW2 is outside the Forum's period.

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