First bayonet purchase - what can you tell me about it.

[DBeard]

Totally new to militaria,  my first trip to a flea market and saw this bayonet.  Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.  I've really enjoyed the information on this forum so I just joined.

[john k]

Garand / Springfield bayonet.  Was a longer, earlier style that was cut down (legit military modification).  

 

The scabbard is mismatched but does it's job.  

[otter42]

AFH is for maker American Fork & Hoe

[Brian Dentino]

Are the handle grips brown?  Sure looks like it from the photos you posted.

[tthen]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

Nice bayonet, as was already stated this M1905 was cut down to 10" from its original 16" by AFH. From where I'm sitting and with the photos provided I believe it has been cut down a second time and the blade reprofile changed to fit the M8a1 scabbard. I believe this was done around the Korean war time period, the M1905E1 will not fit in a M8a1 scabbard.

[DBeard]

On 3/23/2024 at 2:12 PM, Brian Dentino said:

Are the handle grips brown?  Sure looks like it from the photos you posted.

Yes handles are a reddish brown color.  Learned from this forum its called CAB cellulose - something- something.  The color caught my eye and since it was first time looking for militaria stuff I couldn't pass it up.

[j. t. thompson]

Nice scabbard, too. Victory Plastics Co.  M8A1. The metal tip protecter, the light colored thread used in the stitching, and the left over right retaining strap, all point to this being from the Victory Plastics 1960 - 61 contract run. This was Victory Plastics final M8A1 scabbard contract. Dbeard, look under the throat top plate. There should be more markings there.

Lots of information on the Forum about the M8 and M8A1 scabbards. 

[Rhscott]

On 3/23/2024 at 2:32 PM, tthen said:

Hello and welcome to the forum,

Nice bayonet, as was already stated this M1905 was cut down to 10" from its original 16" by AFH. From where I'm sitting and with the photos provided I believe it has been cut down a second time and the blade reprofile changed to fit the M8a1 scabbard. I believe this was done around the Korean war time period, the M1905E1 will not fit in a M8a1 scabbard.

 

Are you suggesting this was a modification for US forces and if so where could I find that referenced?  Never seen or heard of that style of bayonet being made or used for US forces.

[SKIPH]

Rhscott- These were done by the South Koreans for their M1 rifles. Back in the 90s you could buy these at 2 for $7. The packages were stamped in Korean. They also modified the M3, and M7 scabbards to the shorter length, plus used available M8A1 scabbards.  SKIP

[Rhscott]

14 hours ago, SKIPH said:

Rhscott- These were done by the South Koreans for their M1 rifles. Back in the 90s you could buy these at 2 for $7. The packages were stamped in Korean. They also modified the M3, and M7 scabbards to the shorter length, plus used available M8A1 scabbards.  SKIP

Sorta what I was thinking.  Sportsman Guide and Smokey Mountain Knife Works sold thousands of them.

[doyler]

17 hours ago, SKIPH said:

Rhscott- These were done by the South Koreans for their M1 rifles. Back in the 90s you could buy these at 2 for $7. The packages were stamped in Korean. They also modified the M3, and M7 scabbards to the shorter length, plus used available M8A1 scabbards.  SKIP

 

Yup the crude gut downs for the ROL forces. Made to fit the M^a1 scabbards

 

[doyler]

18 hours ago, Rhscott said:

 

Are you suggesting this was a modification for US forces and if so where could I find that referenced?  Never seen or heard of that style of bayonet being made or used for US forces.

 

recall they were $15 each at the time and many had no scabbard form Sportsmans guide

[sactroop]

Those grips by themselves are worth a good amount to someone looking for the right match.  Just saying, if you don't mind replacing those grips with some standard black grips.