✅ SOLVED Help with this WWII? bayonet / scabbard

[Kevlardini]

I went to an estate sale today, and was able to pick up this blade for $20. It's engraved on the blade "RIA 1906" and "US". I did some quick searching, and from what I can tell, it might have been patented in 1906, but the plastic grips indicate it's from WWII rather than WWI.
So on that note...
Did I make out good?
Is it in fact WWII?
and What is a good way to clean the blade? I don't want to try anything harsh and risk defacing the blade. Especially sharpening. That would definitely ruin the patina.
Any other helpful data would be greatly appreciated!


If more pictures are needed I can take more. Just let me know.

 

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[jewelerguy]

you might find this web page helpful. if I'm understanding it correctly, yours is a first model production from Rock Island Arsenal, and has evidently had the grips changed at some point from wood Firearm Technical Trivia, September 2001

 

[Kevlardini]

Thanks jewelerguy!
That does sound about right. The blade does appear to be an original WWI blade, but has had the grips changed to the black Bakelite plastic.

 

[mick56]

You might find it on this page. Probably the second one down, that was later shortened.

http://worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/United_States__WW_I_/us_wwi_2.html

 

[Gitschlag]

Bayonet for the 1903 Springfield / M1 Garand. Definitely worth more than $20, so ya did good!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Nice find! As to cleaning.... I wouldn't do anything other than wiping it down with some gun oil... Use a cotton pad or a soft cloth, nothing abrasive at all.

 

[mick56]

On an episode of Pawn Stars, a guy brought in some old knives. Rick said they would have been worth something, if you wouldn't have cleaned them up. I think the guy used sandpaper on the blades, trying to clean make them look shiny. Ruined any value they had.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Anytime you NEED to clean something like this to keep it from rusting more, the best trick is this. I use transmission fluid and 0000 steel wool. The 0000 SW won't scratch it, and the transmission fluid will also keep the SW from scratching plus help lube the metal and helping to stop any future rust, leaving a protective coating over the metal. I use this method to clean bayonets, and military surplus guns and gun parts all the time. Leaving the bluing intact and the patina on the metal intact etc.

 

[Bavarian Joe]

It started out as a M1905 bayonet for the '03 Springfield. It would have had a 15 inch blade. It was cut down during WW2 for use with the Garand. That's when the grips got switched out for plastic.

What does the rest of the blade look like? They were altered in different ways.

 

[Retired Sarge]

You've got the 1942 to 1953 style black bakelite grips, from 1918 to 1922 the blades were blued or parkerized. Now a complete picture of the bayonet would help to tell when it was made, and tell if it is a cut down blade or not. Another thing is that bayonets were updated/modified to the later style for continued use.

Scroll down for pictures of the differences in cut down or purpose made short blades, that will help you date your bayonet.

http://antiqueoutings.com/m1905-bayonet/

 

[Kevlardini]

Thanks guys.
I'll try to post some pictures later of the full blade.

 

[Kevlardini]

Okay here is the blade. It's 10 inches long.


I also looked at the site you provided ffuries and I looked at the underside of the handle which is stamped "AFH" (American Fork & Hoe) Turns out thats the company that shortened the blade for WWII.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Okay here is the blade. It's 10 inches long.
View attachment 1269670

I also looked at the site you provided ffuries and I looked at the underside of the handle which is stamped "AFH" (American Fork & Hoe) Turns out thats the company that shortened the blade for WWII.

With the new picture of yours it's a M1905E1 (Knife or Chisel Point), cool piece of military history regardless of when it was made.

 

[Kevlardini]

Thank you everyone so much! Amazing how much I learned from yesterday to today.
I wonder if this could be start of ANOTHER collection........

 

[Retired Sarge]

Thank you everyone so much! Amazing how much I learned from yesterday to today.
I wonder if this could be start of ANOTHER collection........

I have a small collection of military surplus rifles (23 ea) I've got the bayonet for each one of them, plus there are around 6 bayonets that are extras or rifle-less right now. Bayonets take up much less room than rifles LOL.