Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used M1905/1942 U.S. bayonet with a 10 inch cut-down blade for the M1 Garand Rifle, complete with the correct WWII Issue M7 scabbard. In 1943, the U.S. Army made the decision to shorten the M1905 bayonet's blade to 10 inches (25.4 cm) and as many of the M1905 and M1942 bayonets were recalled, their blades were cut down to size, and were reissued. These shortened M1905 bayonets were re-designated as M1905E1.
The U.S. Army also introduced a new purpose-made shorter M1 bayonet which was designed to be used with the M1 Garand rifle. The M1 bayonet's blade is 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and the handle is 4 inches (10.1 cm) long. Like this example, they are easily identified by the blade fuller, which on a cut-down version runs to the edge of the blade, such as the blade on this example.
These shorter bayonets functioned well in the European theater, where in the rare bayonet-actions of the time they were matched up against the 9 3⁄4 inch long blade of the German S84/98 III bayonet fitted on the Karabiner 98k rifle. However, in the Pacific theater, the Japanese used the much longer, 15.75 inches (40.0 cm), bladed Type 30 sword bayonet on the already very long Arisaka rifle, which caused many American troops to retain the longer, unmodified M1905 bayonet.
This example is in very good shape, but does show wear from age and use. The blade ricasso is marked by maker U. F. H. (Union Fork & Hoe of Columbus, Ohio) above U.S. around the Ordnance "flaming bomb" and the date is not visible. The reverse still has a faint ordnance "Crossed Cannons" cartouche slightly visible. The original parkerized finish on the blade is retained a little, and it does show much signs of use after being cut down at arsenal. The hilt also has a very nice finish, and the original plastic ribbed grip panels are in lovely condition, with moderate wear.
The original M7 scabbard is the best feature of this bayonet. The bayonet scabbard was personalized with Native American glass bead work sometime post war. The design of the beads are very patriotic in appearance in the typical Native layout. Many troops who were stationed out west and southwest were known to have their equipment personalized in this manner. The beads feature a lovely 1st Cavalry Division insignia as well as what we believe to be a squadron insignia on the reverse side, but we have not been able to identify it. All of the colors are retained quite well and all of the bead work is still extremely tight and secured to the scabbard. This is truly a wonderful, one-of-a-kind item!
This is truly a beautiful bayonet and scabbard, most particularly the scabbard. Personalized items to this caliber and hard to come across and you do not want to miss out on this one!
Comes more than ready for further research and display.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 ½”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 14 ¼”
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4"
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