February 17, 201511 yr #1 Thought I would show a few dummy rifles that the collector might see (by no means a complete set!) that are associated with bayonet training. Top is the Model 1906 (referred to as the Fencing Musket) which was a shortened trap door .45-70 weighted to match the Model 1903 rifle. Front sight removed and two holes tapped in the right side of the barrel. The spring steel bayonets had two attaching rings which had holes in the side so screws could pass through into the tapped holes in the barrel. Shown on it is the Model 1912 Fencing Bayonet made of spring steel with a round curl at the tip. Blade and tip covered in leather. Under it is the Model 1909 Fencing Bayonet, which was a stiffer steel and the leather only cover the tip. Next is the all wood Model 1914 Fencing trainer, first designed at Manila Arsenal and then also made at Rock Island. Some are marked R.I.A. 1914, other unmarked. Manila used Philippine Mahogany, RIA used walnut. Round padded tip covered in leather, many found with other covers or tips as the original did not hold up well in use. Third down is the well known USN Mark 1 Dummy Rifle fitted with the USN Mark 1 Bayonet and USN Mark 1 Scabbard. These of course are relatively common but a little hard to find in nice condition. It was quickly found that they were useless as bayonet trainers as the bayonets broke with any stress at all and were relegated to basic training use. These featured a clicker action so the bolt could be opened to cock the clicker and the trigger worked to "fire" it. Buttplates are marked in 4 lines DUMMY TRAINING RIFLE / MARK 1 - U.S.N. / PARRIS-DUNN CORP / CLARINDA, IOWA. Bayonets made by P.B.Co (Pro-phy-lac-tic Brush Company) and B.M.Co (Beckwith Manufacturing Company), scabbards by B.M.Co. Although not bayonet related, I wanted to show the two below just for collector reference. The Army ordered a simpler version of the rifle PRIOR to the Navy contract. These have no clicker action, although the metal bolt can be opened and closed. The earlier Army contract version is much simpler than the Navy, with just a carved slot for the rear sight, no metal bands (sometimes represented by black paint, sometimes not), fixed stamped steel trigger, barrel is a short wood dowel. Buttplate marked in two lines VICTORY TRAINER 1942 / PD CO.) Much more difficult to find than the Navy version. Under it is the late Army version which used mostly Navy contract parts such as the flip up adjustable rear sight, metal bands, metal "barrel" but still the action with no clicker and the buttplate is marked the same as #4. It will accept the Mark 1 bayonet but they were not issued by the Army. The only real difference is the lack of the clicker action and the buttplate markings. Obviously delivered late on the Army contract. As a note, the Navy model called for using the M1907 leather sling, not sure about the Army. I have never seen a photo of the Army model in use, a few of the Navy version but have yet to find a good photo of the Navy model with the bayonet fixed. Anyone seen one? If the photo below is enlarged somewhat, the dummy action can be easily seen.
February 17, 201511 yr #4 So I'm beginning to think I should have picked up that Victory Trainer I saw this weekend at the flea market.
February 18, 201511 yr Author #6 So I'm beginning to think I should have picked up that Victory Trainer I saw this weekend at the flea market. They are scarce in decent condition, but really have low collector interest as not too many people collect trainers. For everything you would like to know about these trainers, see the excellent website: http://user.pa.net/~the.macs/PDTR.html that Malcolm MacPherson has. Also a lot of other trainers, really THE MAN on training rifles. At the top of the page click on Detail Links for a great selection of articles on them. Highly recommended. Just as a final note, Parris-Dunn sold a version post-war to the civilian market (high school color guards, drill teams, etc.) that is the same as the early Army but without a working bolt. Bolt shape is simply carved into the wood and a wood bolt handle tacked and glued on. Buttplate is marked in 3 lines MADE IN U S A / PARRIS-DUNN CORP / CLARINDA IOWA.
February 19, 201610 yr Author #7 Update with new photo. I have changed my wall display to now go only with dummy rifles/training bayonets. The other non-bayonet related rifles are now in another area. Top three are still the same as shown in the photo at the lead of this thread. The only difference is that I have added another USN Mark 1 bayonet under the rifle - will discuss further later in this post. The fourth one down is a USMC Bayonet Training Aid Rifle, called the Mokuju. Similar to the 2nd one down, but greatly simplified. This is part of the Marine "Martial Arts Kit" and is used in initial training for bayonet combat. Comes with black or tan tips. The bottom one is a "Rubber Duck" US M16A2 dummy training rifle (Thanks Jeff!) fitted with the USMC OKC 3T training bayonet. Having mentioned the newly acquired USN Mark 1 training bayonet, I want to show a little more of it. The one on the rifle was made by Beckwith Manufacturing / Victory Plastics. I just got a Prophylactic Brush Co. version, the only other maker. This one is different in that the plastic guard has been replaced with a metal one from a M1905 bayonet. Many of the ones seen today have the guard broken, usually the barrel ring. That part is so delicate that it is very easily broken. Some had them replaced in service with standard metal guards, not commonly found but out there. One old vet years ago said that he had seen it done at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. The guard on this one has the Ordnance Shell and Flame stamp on the handle side of the guard, so it was probably taken from a damaged M1905.
February 24, 201610 yr #11 The non-firing training rifle is detailed here. http://user.pa.net/~the.macs/Home.html Go to the PDF.
Create an account or sign in to comment