Info on WWI Bolo knife Needed

[Jughead]

Could someone provide me info on this bolo knife? What is the proper military/USMC designation? Who were manufacturers of the knife? Were the blades bare metal or blued or parkerized ? What years manufactured? THANKS

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

It should have blade markings at the hilt. The maker should be on one side and U.S./MOD 1917 on the other. Finish was blue.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Your picture only shows one side of the blade and I can't make out what is marked there.
Also the Bolo and Scabbard does not show a catch.

My reference says:

SA made some Model 1910 Bolo's with and without the scabbard catch. With catch it had a bright blade. Without the catch it would have had a blue blade and other metal parts blued as well.

Without catch marked US over number on one side of the blade and SA over bomb over 1917 on the other.
SA made 59,085 M. 1910 Bolos between 1910-1918.


Model 1917 Bolos were made by Fayette R. Plumb, Phila.

Marked U.S. over MOD 1917 on one side of the blade and PLUMB over PHILA over 1918 on the other side of the blade.

Model 1917 C.T. Bolos were made by two companies.

Fayette R. PLUMB, ST. Louis

Marked U.S. MOD over 1917 C.T. on one side of the blade and PLUMB over ST LOUIS over 1918 on the other side of the blade.

American Cutlery Co. Chicago

Marked U.S. over MOD1917 over C.T. on one side of the blade and A.C. CO. over CHICAGO over 1918 on the other side of the blade.

1917 and 1917 C.T. Bolos have black finish and the scabbard catch has been omited.
The difference was the Model 1917 C.T. Pommel is integral with the tang.

Hope that helps.

Here is my model 1910 with a catch, I can't find my 1917 C.T. right now.

[Jughead]

Thanks for great info. Your scabbard shown is all leather in contrast to canvas leather tipped type. Were the all leather used with SA M1910 bolos and leather tipped with with M1917? What is your book you use as reference? THANKS

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I use the M. H. Cole books. He is recognized as one of the foremost historian of U. S. military knives. But they are out of print and costly. This Bolo was in book III.

A compilation of the four Cole books was done by Mike Silvey. It is "The Best Of U.S. MILITARY KNIVES BAYONETS & MACHETES BY M. H. COLE"

Where as I see Cole's book III selling for $75 to $150 by itself, the Silvey book consolidates all 4. I use it to save damaging my Cole books. Well worth the money. On ebay at $59.95

military knives book items - Get great deals on Books, Collectibles items on eBay.com!

As for the scabbard.

It is listed as having the Webbing over Wood with a Leather tip (different makers stamped on the leather tip), or a stamped Sheet Steel painted olive drab marked L. F. & C.-1918.

The one that came with mine is all leather with no markings. I have not found anything on it yet. I have seen a few of them, and left it the way I got it. My 1917 CT has the metal scabbard. Wish I knew where I packed it away. Senile I guess.

[SKIPH]

JimF4M1s-Where did you get the leather scabbard? Is it US marked (ie RIA)? Have never seen one before, and don't recall referenced anywhere. Really neat! SKIP

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

JimF4M1s-Where did you get the leather scabbard? Is it US marked (ie RIA)? Have never seen one before, and don't recall referenced anywhere. Really neat! SKIP

Skiph,

The scabbard came with the Bolo. I got it about 10 years ago from my cousin. He had gotten it from our (at the time) 85 year old grand uncle who was a Lt. in WW2. I had seen two others at gun shows over the years.

The are NO markings, letters or numbers, of any kind.

Don't know anything else about it, wish I did.

Jim

[SKIPH]

It is unique, and you have seen others. Never have run across one anywhere, live or print. SKIP