MattOravik Posted May 1, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 1, 2007 I picked up this bolo for $50. It had light surface rust covering the maker name and model info. A little WD40 and it cleaned up pretty good and revealed the markings a little more. They're hard to see but are PLUMB ST LOUIS 1918 and MOD CT. The wooden grips are still good and solid. -Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAS36 Posted May 15, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 15, 2007 you could bend the crossguard back a little to straighten it? or do you plan on leaving it "as is" ? maybe a few hits with a rubber mallet or brass hammer will fix it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted May 15, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 15, 2007 Not a bad example and the prices of those have really shot up in recent years. I got lucky and found mine over ten years ago in a local gun shop. Excellent condition and has unit stencilling on the scabbard to a WW1 machine gun unit. Back then you could get nice ones with scabbard for under $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted May 15, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 15, 2007 Matt, wait for the experts to sign in on this but I think that is the civilian version of the Bolo Knife. Post WW1 they were made, probably from left over parts, for the civilian market. I would not "fix" it or other wise change it more than you already have until you determine exactly what it is and the value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted May 15, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 15, 2007 It looks just like mine but I do notice the remnants of a stamped "US" on one side that appears to have been tampered with. Military markings on these should be: U.S MOD 1917 CT and PLUMB ST LOUIS 1918 1917 is the model year and 1918 is the year of production. It's possible PLUMB rubbed off that US marking for post war civilian sales. I have no information on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattOravik Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted May 15, 2007 I really can't tell if there is a US stamp on it or not. The stamps are so light to begin with. My other bolo has a US stamp and it's also very light and mostly just the bottom half of the S is visible. -Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattOravik Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted May 15, 2007 Another thing. Why does it seem like alot of these bolos have bent hand guards like that? On both of my bolos only the top guard is bent like that and in the same direction. -Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted May 15, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 15, 2007 It is a natural thumb rest but was probably done by the owner as it will not fit the military scabbard with that bend. On many knives that have rounded grips, such as the M3, it is done so you can tell by feel where the sharp edge of the blade is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilian Posted November 22, 2007 Share #9 Posted November 22, 2007 US MOD 1917 C.T. Would MOD be an abbreviation for Model, or Modification? And C.T.? Cutting Tool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted November 22, 2007 Share #10 Posted November 22, 2007 US MOD 1917 C.T. Would MOD be an abbreviation for Model, or Modification? And C.T.? Cutting Tool? Yep..."MOD" = Model. "CT" refers to the one piece tang and pommel construction which was a cost reduced feature of later production. I _think_ it stands for "commercial tang" but not 100% sure of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted November 22, 2007 Share #11 Posted November 22, 2007 The use of the term Modification in nomenclture is more navy equipment and ordnance related than army.when you see MOD. on items you must first determine if it is navy or army and if army it most likely means MODEL.In the navy all ordnance starts with a single nomenclature like MK-1 meaning MARK-1 and when a change is made they do not use -1 or A1- or a single letter they rename it as a modification.So when a change has been made the new nomenclature would be MK-1 MOD-0, the navy starts with zero) and then if another change, it would be MK-1 MOD-1.So if you see an ordnance or other item with a MOD-1 nomenclature that means there has been two changes from the orignal specification, this also applies with othe equipment as well.The nomenclature system between the army and navy are quite different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilian Posted November 22, 2007 Share #12 Posted November 22, 2007 Thanks for clarifying Greg and Dustin. I have worked for a company supplying electronic systems to naval customers, and know the M1917 to be a modification of the M1910 bolo, which may explain my thinking. The M1910 and M1909 bolo´s do not have a model designation stamped on them, do they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted November 22, 2007 Share #13 Posted November 22, 2007 the blade is still in nice shape, doesnt show much signs of heavy grinding / sharpening? yes I think the original owner intentionally bent the crossguard as a thumb rest as mentioned earlier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughboy1918 Posted November 23, 2007 Share #14 Posted November 23, 2007 According to Carter Rila, the "CT" stands for "Commercial Type" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Captain Midnight Posted March 8, 2008 Share #15 Posted March 8, 2008 I am looking to restore one of these knives, which is missing its crossguard and wooden handle scales. Anyone know of some place that might sell parts for them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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