Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice U.S. M1905 bayonet dated 1918, originally made towards the end of WWI for the M1903 Springfield Rifle. It was then reissued in WWII for the M1 Garand Rifle, and was fitted with a WWII Issue U.S.N Mk1 scabbard. The Garand was designed to take the same blade bayonet as the M1903 Springfield rifle, so at the beginning of the war they were issued with bayonets originally made for those rifles. Later in 1942 to keep up with wartime production, new orders for M1905 bayonets with plastic grips were sent out, which had plastic ribbed grips. These were also sometimes fitted to M1905 bayonets made previously that had damage to their wooden grips. This bayonet however still has its original wooden grips.

In 1943, the specification for bayonets was changed to have a 10 inch blade, and many M1905 bayonets were shortened to this length. This bayonet however is still in the original configuration, which is rare to find on the market today. It was however at some point stripped and nickel-plated, with the wooden grips painted black. This is the standard setup for a "parade" bayonet, used during drill and parades to match nickel plated rifles.

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 1909. The other side of the ricasso is marked with U.S. above serial number 429518. The blade is in very good shape, though there definitely are a few edge nicks from before it was nickel plated. On the whole the plating is well-retained, though there is some wear through, as well as oxidation and flaking. The wooden grip scales are in good condition, though some of the black paint has chipped off.

The original USN Mk1 scabbard is marked U.S. / MK 1 on the steel throat, and is in very good condition. These scabbards are identical to the US Army M3 scabbard, except for the markings. The B N marking on the underside of the metal throat lip indicates manufacture by Beckwith Manufacturing, who produced a variety of thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric scabbards during the war. The N is for New England Pressed Steel, who made the steel throats under contract with Beckwith. The original parkerized finish on the throat is almost fully intact, as is the original finish on the body. Both locking tabs on the top are intact on this really great example of a U.S.N Mk1 Scabbard.

A very nice 16” WWI M1905 Springfield rifle bayonet by SA, reissued for use in WWII as a parade bayonet, complete with a rare U.S.N scabbard! Ready to display or fit on your Garand or Springfield Rifle.

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