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.