Original Item: Only One Available. This is a true very nice Condition 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet by Springfield Armory, dated 1918. This was made during the WWI period for the M1903 Springfield rifle. It comes complete with a rare first Pattern Maxim Patent Scabbard, which was officially designed for the M1917 Enfield Bayonet. However it is also compatible with the M1905 Springfield bayonet.

This scabbard was a patented design by U.S. inventor Hiram Percy Maxim, inventor of the "Maxim Silencer" and son of Hiram Stevens Maxim whose machine gun played such a large part in both World Wars. The patent 1,276,554 had been applied for on June 20, 1917, and granted on August 20, 1918.

This particular scabbard was personalized by scratching into the leather, and reads R. L. B. | MICK | RG | X. We assume these are initials and a nickname, but we do not know if they stand for one person or two different people.

The bayonet itself dated 1918, being made during WWI for the M1903 Springfield rifle. It is still in the original issued configuration, with the 16 inch blued blade, blued handle and cross guard, and wooden grip scales. The M1905 was originally designed with a bright steel blade, but upon U.S. entry into WWI in 1917, the specification was changed to a fully blued bayonet. Many of these were reissued for use in WWII, and were parkerized and even cut down, but this one was not.

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 1918. The other side of the ricasso is marked with U.S. above serial number 305362.  The blade is in good condition, though the finish is worn, and for some reason a 1/8" long slot was cut into the edge about 6 inches from the tip.

The handle is a nice aged blue, while the cross guard has some surface rust. The release button / lock is also missing, though the spring and end catch are still present. The original wooden grip scales are in good condition, with some of the original ribbed texture, though the right grip has some gouges carved into it.

The scabbard is in good condition as well, though there is definitely some wear to the paint, and the scabbard body was mostly broken through at one point, now glued back together. The leather "Frog" is still intact, though it is degraded somewhat. However the maker name and date JEWELL / 1917 can still be read.

A good example of the 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet by SA, complete with a rare personalized scabbard! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 16"
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 20 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 17 3/4"