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I have a 1903 Springfield serial # 56825. I have tried to mount the bayonet, but it will not click on over the mounting lug. I have tried two different Springfield 20" bayonets. Has anyone else ever run into this problem? Is it possible I need to file down the bayonet lug in order for it to fit? It is short by only a fraction of an inch.
Thanks for any help you can offer me.
Hate to ask, but you do have a M1905 bayonet and not a M1917? Has the bayonet lug/front band been replaced with a repro? Is the bayonet a repro? Are there any burrs or dents on the lug? Pictures of the lug, bayonet?
D. :cheers:
The bayonet is an original Springfield, 16" blade, 4" handle with wood grips, leather scabbard, not a reproduction. On one side of the blade is written SA, below is the flaming bomb symbol, under that 1915. Other side of the blade says US, under that the number 611477. It is not an M1917 bayonet.
It doesn't appear the bayonet lug/front band has been replaced with a repro, but I can not be certain. Looks old and original. How would I tell it is a repro and if it is does that mean only a repro bayo will fit? The lug has the letter H stamped into it.
I believe the rifle was produced in 1904 and they originally were fitted for the rod bayonet. Could this have something to do with my problem?
Thanks for taking the time to answer me.
I wouldn't go filing anything until you have someone else look at it.
There's a gunsmith a couple of miles from me. Maybe I'll let him look at it.
BigArtie,
I agree, you shouldn't go filing anything until the cause of the interference is found or you have it looked at by someone with experience. Per Brophy your rifle's receiver was serialized in 1905 and the bayonet s/n is from 1915. The upper band (bayonet band/lug) did not get the "H" marking until 1908, it signifies that it is hardened. When you say "it will not click on over the mounting lug" do you mean that you can insert it but it will not click/lock or that you can't insert the upper band lug into the bayonet slot?
D. :cheers:
The bayonet slot slides over the lug, but it is a fraction of an inch from clicking / locking. The slot inside the bayo handle appears to be a bit rounded at the corners, whereas the lug seems a bit square at the corners.
Years ago I had a Springfield 03A3 and never had this problem, bayonet fit perfectly.
BigArtie,
Both the forward end of the slot in my bayonet and the forward end of the lug of the upper band of my Springfield are "rounded". In fact they "nest". What part of your lug is "square" the forward end of "big fat part" or forward end of the thin web?
D. :cheers:
The end facing the muzzle is slightly rounder on the corners, the end facing the receiver is squared off.
On the back side of the lug where the H is stamped I can see where the catch hook on the bayonet is sliding, it's making a skid mark. Like I said it is only a fraction of an inch from locking in.
A few weeks ago I purchased an original 20" Springfield bayonet on Ebay.com. Would not fit the lug. The guy I bought it from couldn't understand it as he has a Springfield and it fit his rifle. I asked him for a refund, which he gave me, unhappily. The bayo I have now I purchased through GunBroker.com, but it is too late to return it to the seller. I really don't think I have to as the bayo should fit, but it doesn't, for reasons unknown.
Ok BigArtie,
Check to see if you have debris, dried grease, mud or other junk inside the bayonet's slot. Specially in the far end away from the muzzle. Stuff can be really compacted in there if nobody has taken care of the bayonet. If there is stuff in there it could be keeping the upper band lug from being fully inserted into the bayonet.
D. :cheers:
Hi,
I would agree to not do any alterations till the problem is identified. If the front barrel band is a correct 03 part on a 03 stock, it should work.
First, if you can carefully removed the front band, does the lug fit the rear of the bayonet and lock in the catch? Does the bayonet barrel loop fit over the barrel as it should? If those are fine, look to see if end of the stock is to spec, hasn't been damaged or altered.
Second, does the bayonet barrel loop stop prior to contacting the front of the sight base or does the bayonet barrel loop stop up against the front of the sight base and then the bayonet can't go the rest of the way on the front band lug to engage the bayonet catch? You indicated that the rear catch of the bayonet is almost engaged on the lug.
The bayonet sits on two points of the weapon, the end of the barrel (mounted with the receiver) and the front band lug which is mounted on the stock. If the parts are correct on the weapon and the bayonet is correct, then maybe the dimension distance of the front band lug, on the stock, to the front of barrel is off, too long. This was one area where weapon assembly tolerences were checked because the wood stock with fittings and the receiver with barrel must assemble together with a proper distance for the attachement of a bayonet.
Possibly loosen the receiver in the stock, by just loosening the handguard stock screws and see if the receiver will seat sightly rearward, pulling those two mounting points (barrel end closer to the lug) together, re-tighten and the bayonet may then seat. You say the distance it isn't much. Go slow and don't force anything together. It should just fit.
James
This morning I kept trying to fit the bayonet and decided to put the rifle in my gun vise and take a close look at the mounting lug using a bright light and magnifying glass. Discovered the groove nearest the muzzle appeared to be slighly peened over. Groove didn't look as wide as the side grooves, so I got a very small file and opened it up. Bayonet now fits perfectly. Don't even notice the file marks on the lug. Maybe in the rifle's lifetime it had been dropped on the lug causing this or it's a manufactoring defect. Thought you all would want to know this for future reference. Thanks to everyone who tried to help me.
that was going to be my first recomendation , then look at the muzzle ring - is it bent slightly backward ?
has the front sight been off the rifle ? is it properly in place ?
has the front band [with the lug] been off the rifle ? is it properly back in place ? is it USGI ?
this should snap into place with possibly a bit of play even , every bayonet from the M1892 krag , through the M1905s , to the late M1 should fit that rifle just fine
Check the front band or bayonet lug, meaning is it a 03 or a 1917 band. I have seen 1917 front bands mounted on 03 rifles.