Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very appealing WWI U.S. field equipment rig built around a service used Model 1910 Bolo Knife manufactured by Springfield Armory and dated 1912. The bolo is accompanied by its locking canvas covered scabbard, an M1910 cartridge belt manufactured by MILLS and dated December 1918, and an attached M1911 pistol magazine pouch marked F.S.F. / AUG. 1918. The early Springfield bolo is particularly attractive, retaining its distinctive scabbard locking catch, original markings, portions of its early finish, and a blade showing honest sharpening and service wear.

The Model 1910 Bolo Knife was one of several substantial cutting tools developed by the U.S. Army during the early 20th century. It was intended as a practical field tool for clearing brush and vegetation, cutting material, and other heavy camp and field work. Springfield Armory manufactured the Model 1910 from the prewar period into WWI, and surviving Springfield Armory production information indicates that just under 60,000 were manufactured. Its broad, forward weighted blade made it effective for chopping while remaining compact enough to be carried from the soldier's equipment belt.

The blade is nicely marked:

S A
(flaming bomb)
1912

And on the reverse side:

US
7620

The grip and ricasso have some of the original blued finish present. The blade has been sharpened once or twice during the period. There are also signs of past corrosion that has been removed, giving it a nice service worn look. The grip scales are in good condition, without much scuffing.

The standard M-1910 Bolo Scabbard was fashioned much in the same manner of the M-1910 bayonet scabbard with wood covered in sewn pigskin, a metal throat, metal belt hanger, and a canvas cover with leather tip. It was then modified in 1917 to remove the securing hook for the knife, as that feature was removed though not done on this example. The leather tip of the canvas scabbard is stamped BAUER BROS 1917 / D.M..

The scabbard does show age and staining, and the canvas and leather are now quite dark in color. However it is still overall in solid used condition, with a great aged look. The scabbard lock still works great.

The M1910 cartridge belt is a December 1918-dated example by MILLS, but two of the cartridge pouches are chewed open at the bottom and now do not hold cartridges. There isn’t much wear elsewhere. The attached M1911 magazine pouch is marked F.S.F. / AUG. 1918.

Together, the 1912 bolo, 1917 dated scabbard, December 1918 Mills cartridge belt, and August 1918 magazine pouch form an interesting mixed-date grouping of original U.S. equipment spanning the prewar and WWI periods.

The Model 1910 Bolo Knife is an especially distinctive piece of early 20th century American field equipment. Its broad 10 1/4" blade, Springfield Armory manufacture, early 1912 date, low four digit serial number, and surviving locking system give this example considerable collector appeal. The later wartime scabbard and 1918 web equipment make for a particularly effective display illustrating the continued use of prewar equipment during WWI.

With its clearly marked S A / flaming bomb / 1912 blade, US / 7620 serial marking, functional locking scabbard marked BAUER BROS 1917 / D.M., December 1918 MILLS cartridge belt, and F.S.F. / AUG. 1918 magazine pouch, this is a visually impressive grouping of original American field equipment. The cleaned corrosion, worn scabbard, and damaged cartridge pockets all reflect genuine age and use, while the early Springfield bolo remains the centerpiece. It would display especially well in a collection devoted to U.S. WWI field equipment, Springfield Armory edged weapons, early American military bolos, or the transition from prewar equipment into the American Expeditionary Forces period.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10 1/4"
Blade Style: "Bolo" Machete
Overall length: 15“
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11"