Seeking some help in identifying a Model 1917 bayonet marking

[Peter Laidler]

I'd be sort of interested in what the mark above the 30 indicates

Information

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[22SqnRAE]

I'd be sort of interested in what the mark above the 30 indicates

Peter, that chook (chicken...) looking thing is a bona fide US Inspector's stamp, believe it or not. The 'flaming bomb' (grenade) is the US equivalent of the 'Broad Arrow' in the Commonwealth system. The chook is a stylised bald eagle with the factory inspector's number.

[bigduke6]

Peter, that chook (chicken...) looking thing is a bona fide US Inspector's stamp, believe it or not. The 'flaming bomb' (grenade) is the US equivalent of the 'Broad Arrow' in the Commonwealth system. The chook is a stylised bald eagle with the factory inspector's number.

The 30 is the year I'm told....... and similar to our reissue dates, I've seen dates from 26 -30

[22SqnRAE]

The 30 is the year I'm told....... and similar to our reissue dates, I've seen dates from 26 -30

BD,

As these blades were all made prior to 1918, and taking your guidance there, would you see the '30 (1930) as an inspection for back in service, or perhaps, first issue out of an armoury post WW1?

That's an interesting twist, something to consider.

[onefastokie]

I'd be sort of interested in what the mark above the 30 indicates

The first bayonets produced by Remington on the US contract in September 1917 used the standard British marks as shown above. These then had the British proofs marked out and the US marking added as shown above. Why the British proof was used is not known as the British inspectors were no longer at the plant. A very few dated 10 17 have also been noted. Some of the 9 17 and 10 17 marked bayonets do not have the British proofs on the ricasso, but instead have the standard US marks of the Ordnance Shell and Flame, US, and a stylized eagle head with number underneath. The Ordnance Department adopted the eagle head over number mark in 1917 so that the individual inspectors could be made responsible for their work. It may also be noted that neither of the Remington specimens shown above have the typical British X mark denoting the convex side of the blade for bend tests, although it appears on later production.

Bayo Points 10

This is a knife/sword bayonet manufactured beginning 1917 and was used on several firearms to WWII.
They are very similar to their predecessors: the British P1907 (muzzle-ring is closer to the blade rib and does not have U.S. markings) and the US/British Model 1913/17 (has the same dimensions, but does not have the U.S. Ordnance Bomb on the ricasso). The Model 1913/17 will interchange with the Model 1917 but not with the P1907.
These were manufactured for the U.S. "Enfield" or "Eddystone" .303" caliber rifle (not to be confused with the British No.1 SMLE series which accepts the British P1907 Bayonet).
Bayonet examples made in the U.S. are stamped with model date "1917" over the manufacturer's stamp (in this case REMINGTON in a circle). Reverse is stamped with the U.S. Military "ordnance bomb" (aka "flaming onion") logo above "U.S."; to the left is an "eagle-head" over a date of manufacture (in this case 1929); to the right is an "X" presumed to be a testing or proof mark (perhaps a bending test as with the British counterpart).
Manufacturers were Remington and Winchester (the latter being quite scarce). Blade is made of steel, grips are of wood with two horizontal grooves cut into the sides; pommel will have an "oil-hole."

Scabbards were either green (olive-drab) fiberglass with steel throat or green leather body with steel throat, drag, and belt hook.

http://arms2armor.com/Bayonets/us1917b1.htm

[22SqnRAE]

"...to the left is an "eagle-head" over a date of manufacture (in this case 1929)..."

Onefastokie,

Thanks for the great wrap up. This info would be of great help to others, I'm sure. Not everyone would have such an appreciation for the details as you've presented. Well done.

A query that bothers me that you might be able to assist with: The US only made the P14 and M1917 between 1916 and 1918. At the end of WW1, the M1917 was considered obsolete and stored as a second line reserve. That makes me wonder why there would be a mark suggesting a manufacture date of 1929?

Could it be that these eagle marks are:

1. annotated with the Inspector's personal ID number (hence, this bloke was "Number 29" in the Remington factory, or
2. that the date of inspection was 1929, for whatever reason the bayonet was being assessed within US service?

Curious, your thoughts would be most helpful on this.

Thank you again.

[Time Bandit]

Could it be that these eagle marks are:

1. annotated with the Inspector's personal ID number (hence, this bloke was "Number 29" in the Remington factory...

Yes I believe this is the case...a bit like the German WaA inspectors who had their own individual WaA number.