M1917 bayonet. What is this thing?

[imntxs554]

Nice looking group Frank

Thank You Jim...

[imntxs554]

Nice That's a nice clean example too.

Jim, I was looking at the difference of the 2 and I think there were made for Remington. I read that Remington made a Rifle in 1918 and IIRC modeled it after Enfields Model or something like that. I will find that Website with a U.S.1917 Bayonet with those markings on the back side and those were for Remington for the following year when they made there version of the Enfield. I think I Bookmarked that Website or at least I hope I did, but those Markings tell the Story.

[Aragorn243]

It's for a Model 1917 rifle made by Winchester, Remington and Eddystone which was a subsidiary of Remington. This rifle was based off the P14 which was being made by these factories for the British. When the US entered the war, Springfield could not make enough 1903's to meet the military's needs and it would have taken too long to convert these factories to make Springfields. Much easier to rework the machinery to produce the P14 in 30-06 rather than 303 and the 1917 was born. The bayonet for the two rifles is identical other than British markings on the P14's. These rifles are the subject of much argument, especially by supporters of the Springfield. It was not the "official" rifle of the US military, that was the 1903, yet it was likely more common in Europe in US hands during the war. After WWI, many were sent to England as lend lease, the French also got many. They were removed from US service when the 1903's caught up and then Garand's were adopted.

[Havenot]

I actually own one of those M1917 faux bayonets! It will plug onto a M1917 rifle and does look like n M1917 bayonet.

My daughter bought me the spanking new M1917 bayo and scabbard.....

[oldfoneguy]

I can't understand why there would be a need for a reproduction of the M1917 bayonet. There were lots of them produced over the years in the US and Canada. The US Military used it as their shotgun bayonet from WWI until after Vietnam.

[Aragorn243]

Anyway they can make money they will. When they were $70 or less each is wasn't a big deal. They were selling the repros for $60. Now originals are 150 or so so it's a bigger deal. The Vietnam era ones are actually worth more generally as the vets are trying to find them and hang onto them. They have black plastic grips rather than wood.

[browningautorifle]

I can't understand why there would be a need for a reproduction of the M1917 bayonet.

The originals are expensive and these are really, really cheap. If you're doing re-enacting you may just want a cheapie...

[oldfoneguy]

The originals are expensive and these are really, really cheap. If you're doing re-enacting you may just want a cheapie...

Gotcha. Mine were under $30 each when I bought them from the Numrich store in the late 70's and early 80's. I never suspected they'd be repopped there were so many made. I picked both of mine out of a barrel that never seemed to empty and I got them 3 years apart!

[browningautorifle]

Mine were under $30 each when I bought them

Yes, I remember those days. Now they can be $300 and less...depending on things. I was in the Numrich store in '89 and bought an M14 walnut stock out of a cardboard barrel by the door...for $4 USD. Was well worth the money.

[oldfoneguy]

Yes, I remember those days. Now they can be $300 and less...depending on things. I was in the Numrich store in '89 and bought an M14 walnut stock out of a cardboard barrel by the door...for $4 USD. Was well worth the money.

I tried to get there at least once a month throughout the 80's and 90's then marriage and kids put an end to the fun. That original store was torn down in the 2000's and replaced with a sanitized walk up window in a building on the other side of the parking lot which has also been closed. Bring up their website now and your informed that they no longer take orders over the phone! Customer service has officially died with out as much as a pathetic wimper. How I loved going into that store, getting lost in there for hours.