US Pattern 1917 bayo

emmab

emmab

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Hi. I was wondering if the bayonet crowd on this forum could tell me about the markings and possibly the date of manufacture. It seems to be a mix up with maybe 1907 British parts?
Cheers




 
This bayonet is an American bayonet for the 30-06 Model 1917 Enfield rifle made by Winchester. Canada acquired many M17 rifles from the U.S.prior to WW2. The C broad arrow is a Can. gov't ownership mark almost always applied to the left side of the pommel. Many M17s were accepted into service with the RCAF and were usually stamped on the left side of the butt. The scabbard on your bayonet is an original to the Canadian M17s as the American 'hooks' on the back was officially ground off to allow fitting into a Canadian M37 web frog. Scabbards had a greenish tinge to them as compared to the British black. My father carried one of these rifles and bayonets with him embarking overseas WW2. Disembarking all his lads turned over their rifles/bayonets to the British Home Guard lorry waiting for them on the wharf. JOHN
 
Thanks. I understand now. I saw examples with British acceptance marks ###ed out, but couldn’t figure out the handle marks. Any idea of the date of manufacture?
Excellent information. You never know what you got!
Cheers
 
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This model of bayonet was originally made under contract for the British to fit the Pattern 1914 rifle. The bade is almost identical to the P1907 bayonet, as is the scabbard. The distance from the muzzle ring to the spine of the blade is different. The two vertical grooves in the grip is to make an easy distinction between this bayonet and the P1907. By the time the contract for P14 rifles was completed America was in the war and didn't have enough 1903 Springfields to arm the troops. Three factories were already tooled up to make the P14. It was easier to convert the P14 to 30-06 caliber than to retool for a different rifle. The redesigned P14 became the American Model of 1917 or M17. The same bayonet worked for both rifles. The scabbard throat was changed to include the wire hanger to fit US web gear. There were some parts left over from the British contract that had already been stamped with the British markings. These markings were lined out and the US markings applied. That's where the double marked ones come from. Once those parts were used up only the US markings were stamped, as in your bayonet. The P14s and M17s went into storage after WWI and were brought out in WWII to arm second line troops like the Home Guard, shipyard guards, training units etc.
 
Hi Bill. The bayonet for the Pattern 1914 service rifle had the date of manufacture below the pattern designation - 1913 and did not
have a drainage hole in the pommel. Emmab's bayonet is the M17 variation as its stamped with the pattern designation of 1917 and
has a drainage hole. Canada did not have M17 rifles or bayonets until near 1940. JOHN
 
jtaylor - if you read my post that is exactly what I said "Once those parts were used up only the US markings were stamped, as in your bayonet" which pretty clearly implies (within the context of my post) that his bayomet is a M17. Nor did I say Canada had any before WWII, in fact I didn't say anything about when Canada got them.
 
Thanks Bill &Jt green and all! Great information. So,I’ve got an American made bayonet,purchased by Canada and issued? The scabbard “Jewell 1918” green tinge,is correct for Canadian issue according to J. So was it purchased or acquired by Canada as a set? The rifle and kit too? Any idea of date of manufacture ? There is the number 46 on the guard but I doubt that has anything to do with it.
Cheers
 
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