Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a true, service worn Condition 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet made by Springfield Armory, complete with an original M1906 Leather-Covered Scabbard. It is dated 1906, being made during the pre-WWI period for the M1903 Springfield rifle. It is still in the original issued configuration, with a steel 16 inch blade, blued handle and cross guard, and wooden grip scales. Upon U.S. entry into WWI in 1917, the specification was changed to a fully blued bayonet, and bright bayonets on hand were blued to match. Many of these were also reissued for use in WWII, and were parkerized and even cut down, but this one was not. It is still in the original production configuration.
The blade ricasso is marked with SA for the Springfield Armory in Springfield Mass, the primary center for the manufacture of United States military firearms from 1777 until its closing in 1968. Below this is the Ordnance flaming bomb and date of manufacture 1906. The other side of the ricasso is marked with U.S. above serial number 171191. The blade is in good, service used condition, showing sharpening of the edge and use as well as a few nicks. There is a bit of surface oxidation staining, with little rust that appears to be able to clean up easily if you would wish to do so. The handle and cross guard are a nice aged blue, and the original wooden grip scales are in very good condition, with much of the original factory "ribbed" texture.
The included scabbard is an original WWI issue M1906 first pattern scabbard, which are VERY hard to find. Most were discarded or converted to use standard belt hooks. The design was based partly on the Springfield-Krag bayonet scabbard, with a somewhat hard to use belt clip. It is marked on the back with R.I.A. / 1908. / T.C., for manufacture at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, one of the major producers of U.S. Arms and Ordnance from after the Civil War until present day.
The retaining hooks are still intact, so the bayonet locks securely into the scabbard. The scabbard overall is quite clean with the leather still supple, though it looks to have suffered splitting and some leather loss at the tip.. The securing washer on the hanger is worn, so the hanger swivels quite easily.
A great example of the 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet by SA, complete with rare early issue scabbard! Ready to display or fit on your Springfield 1903 Rifle.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 16"
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 20 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 17"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
