circle W 1917 bayonet

[browningautorifle]

These bayonets are fairly uncommon but not rare

That's what I wanted. I've never even seen one. Not even one. So they're a bit more than a bit scarce.

And by the way, I'm very familiar with them. You however aren't familiar with me so you should refrain from directing me.

[rice 123]

the circle W bayonet had no US markings and came with one of the Winchester 97 trench guns that the Richmond police department about 10 years ago

[Peter Laidler]

I am a total outsider here but I simply refuse to believe, unless I see absolute evidence to the contrary, that a Police Force - any civilised Police Force - would have/purchase/use bayonets. It is simply...., well unbelieveable to my sheltered view of the world. A bayonet is only good for one thing. It ain't sharpening pencils or scaring crowds of people, it is for stabbing them as a last means of any mechanical defiance. When all else has failed, you attack with bayonets

[browningautorifle]

unless I see absolute evidence to the contrary

I'm still in that forum. Good for pics and gunshow floor talk, but I don't think they took to the streets with them. Or is it because the news papers printed it? I just don't want to go on with it much...because you seem convinced...

[porterkids]

Just because we haven't seen something, or it doesn't seem logical, it doesn't mean it isn't true. Here is a short article by renowned historian and author Bruce Canfield that was printed in the American Rifleman.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/blog...ch-gun-bayonet

WHICH BAYONET FOR THE '97 "TRENCH GUN"?
By NRA Staff (RSS)
March 18, 2014

Q. I just purchased an original World War I, U.S.-issue Model 1897 Winchester “trench gun” with a heat shield and bayonet lug. I’d like to get the right bayonet for it. A collector friend told me there were separate Model 1917 bayonets intended just for the trench gun. Is this true? And, if so, how I do tell?
A. There was no “special” Model of 1917 bayonet made for the U.S.-issue trench guns. The reason the Model of 1917 rifle bayonet was selected for use with the trench gun in the first place was to simplify logistics. They were already in production at Winchester, Eddystone and Remington—the makers of the U.S. Model of 1917 Rifle. There would have been absolutely no reason to put a special shotgun bayonet into production, as that would have served no purpose whatsoever, and it would only have complicated logistics. The standard M1917 rifle bayonet worked just fine.
There is one caveat, however. Winchester did produce some commercial production M1917 bayonets after World War I that were identical to the pre-1919, U.S. military contract M1917 bayonets, except these were marked only with a circled “W” on the ricasso and had no martial markings. These were presumably made for use with the commercial-production Model 1897 trench guns made in the late 1920s or early 1930s. In any event, these were not military bayonets and were certainly not issued by the military with trench guns during World War I or subsequently.
—Bruce N. Canfield
Originally published March 2006

[Peter Laidler]

This police shotguns with bayonets saga is almost beyond parody...... IF it were so, I can only imagine it'd be something akin to what a friend told me (and this was true/correct as he was on the BMW sales team.....) When the Police in the UK were leaving the 850cc Norton Commando stable, they approached BMW for their 750cc German Police type motorcycle. They came with all manner of stuff, from a hand pump to a small tool kit and German police markings etc etc. The UK Police Forces said that they didn't want all of that superflous stuff and wanted the price to reflect that this stuff had been removed. BMW lowered the price a tad, left the bikes plain white - but STILL the bikes came through with the tool kit and hand pump!!

They questioned BMW who shrugged their shoulders and said '.......that's what it comes with....., that's what you get'. The tools and pumps stayed in the store and a lot of the sales team had a lot of ready christmas presents to give away.

[Aragorn243]

The 1920's were different times. I wouldn't go so far as to discount anything. BAR's, Thompson's, etc were sold commercially in the US. They were expensive but legal and the gangsters had the money to get them. A bayonet if nothing else is intimidating and I wouldn't put it past the police of the era or the gangsters for that matter to have them available if only for that purpose.

It would also make a heck of a sticker for alcohol barrels, stills, etc.

Now, you guys mentioned "parody". The US Government has distributed 12,000 bayonets to local police departments over the past few years. This is NOW, not the 1920's.

[browningautorifle]

The US Government has distributed 12,000 bayonets to local police

Yes, I read about that one. I guess we can wait and see on that one.

[WarPig1976]

The US Government has distributed 12,000 bayonets to local police departments over the past few years. This is NOW, not the 1920's.

Funny thing is...WE got 'em too...

[Aragorn243]

Funny thing is...WE got 'em too...

LOL, I was thinking the same thing but it seemed to obvious to point it out. I took my WWI Enfield with the long bayonet on it to the range one time and got all kids of looks.