Item:
ONSV23CWC41

Original U.S. WWI M1917 Trench Gun Bayonet by Winchester with First Pattern Maxim Scabbard by Graton & Knight

Item Description

Original items: Only One Available. This is a very good example of the rare and hard to find U.S. M1917 Enfield bayonet in very good condition. It comes complete with a rare Maxim Patent Scabbard, which was a 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.

Fully intact scabbards are hard to find and very desirable, because the design was in fact flawed, resulting in many scabbards having the leather "frog" that held the belt clip break off. The scabbard was quickly replaced in service with the second pattern, which had the belt clip attached directly to the metal throat of the scabbard, and existing "Maxim" scabbards that had not already broken were eventually discarded. This example however escaped that fate, and is offered in complete unmodified condition!

The M1917 bayonet was originally designed to be used with the US M1917 Enfield .30 caliber rifle, as well as with the seven different U.S. trench shotguns. The blade is 17 inches (43.18 cm) long. The M1917 Enfield was the U.S. Version of the British P-14 rifle, and the bayonets used are identical, down to the double groove in the grips, used to differentiate the bayonets from the P-1907 for the SMLE rifle.

This bayonet is in very good condition, and is marked on the blade ricasso with date 1917 over the W in a circle manufacturer's mark, for Winchester. The reverse ricasso is marked with the ordnance "Flaming Bomb" over U.S., next to an Eagle proof mark. The blade is great, with a lovely worn finish, and was sharpened at arsenal once or twice. The edge does not have any nicks or damage, and the ricasso still has the original bluing. The handle finish has been worn almost bright from cleaning, however there is no rust or other damage. The grip scales are excellent, with a great color.

The scabbard is also in great shape, with intact leather, and most of the original green paint. The leather mount on the back has a faint G&K marking for Graton & Knight Manufacturing Co., Worcester, Mass. and 1917 date. It has not been repainted, like many we see. The original steel fittings are undamaged and retain their original finish. A great chance to pick up a very nice rare bayonet with scabbard. Ready to display!

Specifications:

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

More on the M1917 Bayonet

The M1917 bayonet was used first during World War I by American soldiers on the Western Front. A sword bayonet design, the M1917 bayonet design was based on the British P1907 bayonet, which incorporated a long 17-inch blade. While designed primarily for the M1917 rifle the bayonet was fitted for use on all the "trench" shotguns at the time.

The M1917 was used frequently during the several different Banana Wars.

The U.S. continued to use the Word War I-made M1917 bayonets during World War II because of large stockpiles left over. The new Trench Guns being procured and issued were still designed to use the old M1917 bayonet.

The bayonet was again called on during the Korean War for issue with the various Trench guns still in service.

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