thecandyman0838 Posted July 23, 2017 Share #1 Posted July 23, 2017 Hello, I picked up this m1917 bolo today for what I feel was a decent price, but I have a couple of questions about it. I read that the C.T. stands for commercial type. Is this still a military issued knife? Is there any concern with these knives being faked? The person who I bought it from said that the old man who sold it to him said that it was his grandfathers, so I feel good about its originality, but a second opinion is always good. The knife came with a 1945 dated usmc corpmens bolo scabbard. Were these knives issued into ww2, or was this done when they were surplused off? Thanks Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted July 23, 2017 Share #2 Posted July 23, 2017 As far as I know these bolos were only made during WWI, and there were some available surpluses during WWII. They were originally issued to engineers for clearing brush, but they were also used as fighting knives and as your example suggests, a corpsman's bolo. Can't say it was common to see these being used during WWII, but it certainly happened. Yours looks right as rain to me. I have one almost exactly like yours, but with its original sheath. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/257988-us-model-1917-ct-plumb-bolo-knife/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted July 23, 2017 Share #3 Posted July 23, 2017 Looks all original to me. The CT stood for commercial tolerances, but it is a military piece. It's basically a streamlined version of the earlier M1910 bolo produced by Springfield Armory. I don't believe any were produced for military use after WW1 but many WW1 items were obtained and used by Soldiers and Marines during WW2. Now you need to find a scabbard for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandyman0838 Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted July 23, 2017 As far as I know these bolos were only made during WWI, and there were some available surpluses during WWII. They were originally issued to engineers for clearing brush, but they were also used as fighting knives and as your example suggests, a corpsman's bolo. Can't say it was common to see these being used during WWII, but it certainly happened. Yours looks right as rain to me. I have one almost exactly like yours, but with its original sheath. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/257988-us-model-1917-ct-plumb-bolo-knife/ Thank you for the information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandyman0838 Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted July 23, 2017 Looks all original to me. The CT stood for commercial tolerances, but it is a military piece. It's basically a streamlined version of the earlier M1909 bolo produced by Springfield Armory. I don't believe any were produced for military use after WW1 but many WW1 items were obtained and used by Soldiers and Marines during WW2. Now you need to find a scabbard for it. How much would I be looking to spend on a proper canvas scabbard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted July 23, 2017 Share #6 Posted July 23, 2017 I really have no idea about the current price of loose scabbards. Check ebay from time to time. Might be your best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 23, 2017 Share #7 Posted July 23, 2017 If I remember correctly, CT stood for continuous tang; the pommel and tang were one piece. Without the CT the bolo had a separate pommel attached to the tang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted July 24, 2017 Share #8 Posted July 24, 2017 If I remember correctly, CT stood for continuous tang; the pommel and tang were one piece. Without the CT the bolo had a separate pommel attached to the tang. I've seen several different sources as to what the CT means but they were all for military use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandyman0838 Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted July 24, 2017 After doing more research I've read about the "crack" from how they would braise/weld the guard together, however on my knife I can not find a crack or gap. Is this even anything to be worried about? Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted July 24, 2017 Share #10 Posted July 24, 2017 You've got an original M1917 Bolo, Like Thorin6 states, "CT", is for commercial tolerances. For whatever it's worth you will be very hard pressed to to see the weld in the guard, but that's how they were made. I have one that once I found out how they place the guard on I could see the weld, -slightly. Also check out "Atlanta Cutlery", they are selling M1917 Repros , with scabbards, plus they are making M1909 bolos, M1917 Trench Knives, etc. Check out their web page, when you get to "Eras", and click 20th Century wars". Then click "view all items"for that section., These are very good reproductions, we now have something else to worry about as collectors. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted July 24, 2017 Share #11 Posted July 24, 2017 There are a lot of scabbards listed here,"Original WW! US Edged Weapons/ ebay". SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaper Posted July 25, 2017 Share #12 Posted July 25, 2017 I have read that the "CT" stamp designated "cut tang". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted July 25, 2017 Share #13 Posted July 25, 2017 Bruce Canfieldin his great book on "US Infantry Weapons of WW!", states it as "Commercial Tolerences". The tangs weren't cut, it would have weakened the handle, it was the guard that was cut, to fit it on, then welded the cut. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Trzaska Posted July 25, 2017 Share #14 Posted July 25, 2017 It is Commercial Tolerances as skip states. Ordnance Department wanted everyone to know this was not made to tolerances but in the need for production speed they relented and allowed them to pass inspection as the CT revision to the tighter tolerance M1910 or M1917 design. I found the document stating it and shared it with Bruce many years ago. All the best Frank Trzaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandyman0838 Posted July 25, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted July 25, 2017 Thanks everyone for all of the replies and information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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