This is a very good example of the M1910 bolo knife issued to aid in cutting through undergrowth, partially inspired by its experiences in “Uncle Sam’s Little Wars” of the late 1800s and early 1900s, often fought in jungle terrain, but also found useful in general clearing of fields of fire. This is one is marked with the Springfield Armory’s “S A” stamp over an Ordnance Department bomb, with the production date of 1912 just underneath, all on the base of the blade on the reverse, near the guard. The obverse is marked “US” over its serial/production number “11159.” The arsenal produced 59,095 from 1910 to 1918, and others, designated the Model 1917, were produced by Plumb and by the American Cutlery Company.

The hilt is blued, as per regulation, and has full coverage, shifting toward brown on the pommel. The hilt retains the thumb release catch for the scabbard, which was removed in later production. The walnut grips have good color and show use, with smoothing out of the feathered grain from handling, some old surface chips, shallow dings, and a hairline through the forward screw on the right, but are secure. The base of the blade shows a narrow band of faded blue, following the early specifications the first 3/16 inch would be blued like the metal of the hilt and the rest of the blade was to be bright. The rest of the blade shows as steel gray, medium bright, with good edge and point, a few rubs, but no sharpening. The scabbard is the early type made of olive-drab webbing over a wooden body, with wire carrying hook at top and brown leather tip. The leather has good color and finish. We see no markings. The web has a few small stains as shown, but no holes or tears.

This is nice early example of a classic US military issue knife.  [sr][ph:L]

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