The Model 1905 bayonet was developed out of dissatisfaction with the rod bayonet originally issued with the new 1903 rifles. The usefulness of knife bayonets in night attacks had been proven in the Russo-Japanese War and the extra length given to the US 1905 pattern over the old Krag knife bayonet was intended to compensate for the shorter length of the new rifle.

This example has an “SA” over an ordnance bomb and date of 1908 on the reverse ricasso, indicating it was made that year in the Springfield Armory. The other side has a “US” over serial number 245409. The scabbard is a modified Model 1905 consisting of a wood body bound in rawhide with a russet leather covering. As issued the first patterns of this scabbard had a Krag style pivoting belt hook. These scabbards were recalled to the arsenals and new double-ended wire belt hooks secured by a leather collar were substituted, sometime before the introduction of the 1910 pattern. This is a Rock Island Arsenal scabbard, marked R.I.A. 1907 over a set of inspector’s initials, J.T.N., on the reverse of the body. The leather collar holding the new belt hook has a different set of inspector’s initials: “W.M.” The scabbard is in very good condition. The russet leather has a good surface finish and color, with tight seams and few scuffs. The bayonet blade is good, showing a good point and edge free of nicks. The metal is dark blue with some gray showing along raised edges. The guard shows some crustiness. The grips are complete and show the usual striations, but have no finish and are a tannish brown with small scratches and wear.  [sr]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!