M1 garand ersatz bayonet ??

[tony75]

Hi
is this a ww1 ersatz bayonet
its dated 1908any info would be much appreciated
thank you for your time and help
Tony

[Spitace41]

I do not think it has anything to do with being an Ersatz bayo. Pretty sure it is a regular cut down M1905 bayonet (these were shortened during ww2 to conform to new length requirements for the M1 rifle bayonet) that looks to have lost the handle or had it removed and filled in to become a fighting knife. I guess this would come under the category of a theater made knife. Cheers.

[gel65]

I would agree with this being a theater made knife I always found it fascinating how they created handles on these knives

[ObKrieger]

It was originally a Springfield M1905 bayonet for the M1903 rifle. I can't comment past that.

[milcollector84]

I mostly agree with the previous posts. It was made for the 1903 but at some point made into a theater/ fighting knife. Having the catch groove filled in and the catch removed make it impossible to use as a bayonet. I am hesitant to say it is a WWII arsenal cut down because from what I've read they were reparkerized at that time and the stampings sometimes ground down in the refinishing. This knife appears to have not been parkerized after cut down. Is the handle made of filed and filled lead? GIs got pretty inventive.

Matt

[Walkwolf]

I believe it is made from aluminum. I have heard that GI's
would make stuff from aluminum pieces of downed
or unserviceable aircraft.........

[tony75]

Hello
thank you all for the info very interesting
it looks like lead where they filled in the handle
thanks again
Tony

[Scout]

It has nothing to do with a WWI Garand bayo, as they didnt have the Garand during WWI - the Garand is a WWII rifle.

[USNV5]

"Theater" modified? Maybe, but probably not. It saw use during WW1 and WW2, then went out as surplus after the Second Great Debate or Korea and was turned into what some will call a "knife" while in civilian hands after it's military career was over.