Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used Post WWI production M1905 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 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 1919. The other side of the ricasso is marked with U.S. above serial number 1072880. There is also an AFH stamp on the back of the grip spine, for American Fork & Hoe of Geneva, Ohio.

Tracing the history of this bayonet, it was original produced just after WWI, and may have seen service between the wars. With the outbreak of WWII, at some point it was refinished with a parkerized finish and had the original wooden grips replaced with plastic. It was also cut down to M1905E1 at some point, but we think this happened after it was reissued, as the changes to the blade removed the parkerized finish. Had it been refinished afterwards, the blade would have not had the finish removed. Definitely a bayonet with history!

Condition is very good, with the blade retaining much of the parkerized finish, and having a lightly stained bright steel finish where it was modified. The grip has lots of finish left, and the plastic grip scales have a lovely lightly worn look.

The original M7 scabbard is in good condition, though it was overpainted entirely with OD Green several times, so the markings are not visible at all. Most of these were made by Beckwith Manufacturing, who produced a variety of thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric scabbards during the war. The many coats of pain give it a lovely look only achieved after long service.

A very nice 10” cut down M1 Garand bayonet by Springfield Armory, modified during the war by American Fork and Hoe, complete with an M7 Scabbard. Ready to display or fit on your Garand Rifle.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4"