Original Items: Only One Available. This is a very good original U.S. WWI Model 1917 bayonet manufactured by Remington and dated 1917, complete with its original issue scabbard. Developed for the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1917, commonly known as the M1917 or “American Enfield,” the same bayonet pattern was also used with U.S. military shotguns equipped with the corresponding bayonet attachment. This example retains strong U.S. Ordnance and inspection markings, its original blade profile, and a good unaltered edge, making it a very attractive example of one of the distinctive American bayonets of the Great War. The Smithsonian identifies the M1917 Enfield bayonet as the bayonet for the U.S. Model 1917 rifle, while the Civilian Marksmanship Program confirms that the rifle itself was an American adaptation of the British Pattern 1914 design.

The M1917 was a long sword bayonet with a 17 inch blade. Its ancestry lay with the British Pattern 1913 bayonet, which had been developed for the Pattern 1914 rifle. When the United States adapted the P14 rifle design to the .30-06 cartridge as the Model 1917, the corresponding bayonet pattern was also adopted for American service. One of its most recognizable features is the pair of transverse grooves cut into the wooden grip panels. On the original British Pattern 1913, these provided an immediate visual and tactile distinction from the very similar Pattern 1907 bayonet used with the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield.

The M1917 bayonet also became closely associated with American military shotguns. During WWI, Winchester Model 1897 and Model 1912 shotguns fitted for military service could accept the M1917 bayonet, and the pattern continued in use with later U.S. combat shotguns. Army historical material specifically documents military shotgun modifications incorporating a bayonet lug for the M1917 bayonet.

This bayonet is in good condition with heavy scratching and wear, and is marked on the blade ricasso with date 1917 over the Remington logo. The reverse ricasso is marked with the ordnance "Flaming Bomb" over U.S., next to an Eagle proof mark over 29. The blade is good, was not sharpened after arsenal, and retains the finish at the ricasso. The handle finish is in great shape.

The scabbard is in good shape overall, with the throat and drag now covered in oxidation.

The M1917 bayonet had a service life extending well beyond the First World War. Large stocks of WWI manufactured bayonets remained available after 1918, and the pattern continued to be useful because U.S. military shotguns retained compatible bayonet attachments. When additional M1917 bayonets were required during the Vietnam era, the U.S. government even procured new production examples in 1966-1967 for combat shotguns, illustrating the remarkable longevity of the original design.

This Remington example has particular collector appeal as a clearly 1917 dated U.S. production bayonet retaining its strong maker and Ordnance markings, numbered Eagle inspection stamp, unaltered blade edge, good handle finish, and original scabbard. The scratching, wear, and oxidation to the scabbard fittings give it an honest service appearance without compromising the important identifying features. It would display especially well with a U.S. Model 1917 rifle, a WWI military shotgun, or within a collection devoted to American Great War edged weapons, trench warfare equipment, or U.S. military bayonet development.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 17"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 21 3/4“
Crossguard: 3 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 18"