Total Newbie would like some expert input

[Bad Primer]

Hello! 

 

I am brand new to the forum with a budding interest in US Military Fighting Knives & Bayonets.  Someone gave me a few old, beat up US military knives and bayonets recently that I know are common, in terrible shape, and not worth much but the history of them peaked my interest in them. 
 

Because of this, I’ve been standing on the sidelines of this forum for a while, reading and learning as best I can.  One of the take aways I have thus far is how easy it is for a newbie to be taken advantage of by sellers who misrepresent the piece that’s for sale. 

 

With that said, I do have one US bayonet that I bought years ago that I would love some input on, if you folks would be so kind.  After seeing how easy it is to be scammed, I am now wondering if I got fooled in my complete ignorance.

 

Over 30 years ago I got an M1 Garand from the DCM that I enjoy shooting to this day.  It is indeed a WW2 era rifle and I was captivated by its history.  At the time I wanted to have an authentic WW2 Garand bayonet as a historical companion piece.  I did not care what model, manufacturer, etc.  as long as it was genuine to the era.

 

What  I did next will likely make experienced collectors cringe.  I went onto eBay without any bayonet knowledge and paid what I thought at the time was a large amount of money ($150 in 1990) for a bayonet that was presented as a genuine, collectible WW2 Garand bayonet.  I did this without even a thought that I could be buying junk.  I found that bayonet in the back of my safe and looked at it now wondering if it is real or is it garbage. 
 

I am going to try and attach some photos for your review.  Please know that any and all input you can provide will be read with great interest and would be greatly appreciated.  

Thanks in advance - all the best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SKIPH]

Bad Primer- You have an original Rock Island M1905 that was cut down during WW2 by the American Fork & Hoe Co. (AFH). The bayonet was made in 1910, serial number is in the correct range for that year. The small "A" near the slot met it has the modified catch which was done in the 1910 time frame, early catches would break off. The "HS", I believe is for hardened steel, but can't recall for sure.  The bayonet was refinished, and appears to have never been issued.  After the cut down modification they were designated M1 Bayonets, some call the M1905E1.  SKIP

[Papas-Toybox]

Welcome to the forum. Yes, this bayonet was probably used on an M1 Garand. 

 

Now for some specifics. What you have is a 1910 dated Rock Island Arsenal 16-inch M1905 bayonet and in my opinion that was re-arsenaled with an upgrade of replacing the original wood handles to plastic handles sometime between 1938 and 1945. Also, in 1943 - 1945 the original 16-inch bayonet was cut down to 10-inches for use during WW2. This cutdown was performed by AFH (American Fork and Hoe) which was one of five companies contracted to cut down 16-inch bayonets. The plastic handles could have been replaced by AFH when they performed the cutdown to a 10-inch blade. The 10-inch bayonet was then used until 1953 as the standard M1 Garand Bayonet.

 

Here's an interesting timeline of the possible use of this bayonet.

1910 - 1937 (used as a 16-inch M1905 bayonet before, during, and after WW1 for the Springfield Model 1903 rifle.

1938 - 1943 (rearsenaled and used as a 16-inch Model 1905 bayonet for the Springfield Model 1903 rifle, M1 Garand, and the WW2 model 03A3 rifles.)

1943 - 1945 (Bayonet was cut down by AFH and used as a 10-inch bayonet for the Springfield Model 1903 rifle, M1 Garand, and the WW2 model 03A3 rifles)

1945 - 1953 (Bayonet used by the active-duty services on Springfield Model 1903 rifle, M1 Garand, and the WW2 model 03A3 rifles. This is the bayonet used on the M1 Garand during the Korean War) Specifically the M1 Garand was the primary infantryman rifle during this time.

1954 - present (Used by National Guard units, honor guards, ceremony guards. Still in use at some military funerals by the VFW and American Legion Posts)

 

So, in essence your bayonet served during WW1, WW2, and Korea.

[Bad Primer]

Hello SKIP & PAPAS-TOYBOX

 

Guys, thanks a million!  
 

From reading on the forum before joining I did learn that some WW2 bayonets were cut down WW1 bayonets.  When I looked at it again I thought the blade looked too new for 1910 so I suspected I’d been had.  I never thought it could have been re finished legitimately by the US Military.  
 

I’m not sure if I overpaid or not but that’s money long since spent.  What’s really nice to learn is that it’s genuine and could very well have served!  I love the details and the history of the piece as you both have laid it out for me.  It’s what makes collecting pieces like this so very interesting to me.

 

Please know how much I appreciate your inputs!   Thanks again!
 

 

[agate hunter]

Here is an article in a WWII leatherneck magazine I had talking about the new M1 bayonets. 

[Bad Primer]

Agate Hunter - That article was really great to read.  Very cool to see an article from the era that explains why the bayonet I have is the length it now is.  Thanks very much!

[hyrax222]

Bad Primer-

 

Welcome to the forum!

First- You have a VERY nice M1 bayonet! RIA made only about 1/4 -1/3 the bayonets that Springfield Armory produced, so they are sparse.

 

Others here have informed you  well on the details. 

 

Second- Reference materials are your friend! Books, other  forums, websites, auctions, gun shows, other collectors etc. Timely information can save you costly mistakes!

 

Third- Collecting can be addicting=$! So decide what kind of a collection     you want. You probably won't             find/afford every one of them!

 

hyrax222

[Bad Primer]

Thanks!  I have acquired a few reference books from a friend that I use.  They are very helpful.

 

Please know I appreciate your help very much!