Vietnam era M1917 bayonet and scabbard questions?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The discussion got me curious about mine.
VN era Gen Cut with a WWII scabbard.

[browningautorifle]

So, there's more around with WW2 scabbards than people wanted to make out. Their number of 2000 approx seems conservative, looking at 70 years and three wars.

[BEAR]

Jim,
That was less than 200,000 not 2000. Gary Cunningham stated that it was 179,000 produced between January and April 1945.

He also stated that he could find no production numbers for the Vietnam M1917 scabbard.

BEAR

[browningautorifle]

I must have read the numbers wrong...misremembered. 200,000 does sound better.

[JoeB]

This is a really interesting topic.

[BEAR]

Hi Joe,
Here is a picture of the three shotguns that took the M1917 bayonet. It was possibly the Ithaca Model 37 that you carried in Desert Storm.
Attachment 89296
Attachment 89297
Attachment 89298

[browningautorifle]

That would have been a rare one...unless it was the eight shot deerslayer he had. I saw eight shot versions down in Pendleton in about '84...guarding the weapons stores.

[JoeB]

Hi All,

I've been talking to Bear about his M1917 bayonet. It brought back memories I had of having an unusual bayonet issued to me during Desert Storm when I guarded prisoners. What was interesting was its length and the fact that inscribed into the bayonet were the numerals: 1918.

I have to say, I was really surprised, and also a bit upset (I had seen the movie "Gallipoli"!), but anyway, I have always remembered this special bayonet.

I want to thank Bear for graciously filling me on the details about this bayonet and confirming to my astonishment that the bayonet really was manufactured 73 years before that day when it was reissued to me.

Take a look at the pictures. I'm glad to hear your comments and your opinions about which kind of shotgun/trenchgun was issued to me.

I look a bit rough in two of the pictures. It was very early morning, and I had been on reaction team duty all night. (pics. 1991a and 1991c) Also, please forgive the condition of one of the photographs.

On the back of pic 1991c I wrote long ago: At the prisoner of war camp. I have just been on reaction team duty (to control a riot with the shotgun and the 18 inch WWI bayonet.)

In the picture next to the barbed wire, you can see the scabbard on the ground if you look closely.

Joe

[browningautorifle]

I can't really tell by the pics whether it's an Ithaca or not...

[BEAR]

Hey Joe,

I posted a challenge to the shotgun experts to ID your shotgun.

Looking at the bayonet attachment it appears to be an Ithaca but I'll let the experts determine.

BEAR (BDY)