Original U.S. WWI M1905 Springfield 16" Rifle Bayonet by RIA with M1906 Scabbard - dated 1907
Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a true very good Condition 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet made by Rock Island Arsenal, complete with an original M1906 Leather-Covered Scabbard. It is dated 1907, being made during the pre-WWI period for the M1903 Springfield rifle. It is still in the original issued configuration, with a bright steel 16 inch blade, faintly 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 RIA for 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. It was put into operation somewhat to compensate for the loss of Harpers Ferry. Below the maker marking is the Ordnance flaming bomb and date of manufacture 1907. The other side of the ricasso is marked with U.S. above serial number 96393. The blade is in very good condition, with the expected stained patina from being over 100 years old. The handle and cross guard are a nice very worn aged blue, and the original wooden grip scales are in good condition, however they have been worn almost totally smooth.
The scabbard included is an original WWI issue M1906 Type II 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 faintly with R.I.A. / 1907, along with what look to be regimental markings. 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 a bend at some point about 5 inches from the tip. The securing washer on the hanger is no longer attached, so the hanger moves a full 360 degrees.
A great example of the 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet by RIA, complete with rare early issue scabbard! Ready to display or fit on your Springfield 1903 Rifle.
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