Description
Antique Springfield M1905 16″ Bayonet Produced 1917 w/ M3 Long Resin Scabbard
One antique Springfield M1905 16 inch bayonet with M3 17 inch scabbard.
The bayonet was manufactured in 1917 by Springfield, with the serial number 713545, falling within the run of 1917 produced bayonets.
The blade is very old and somewhat worn, extremely dull, with signs of corrosion and rust.
Markings on the blade ricasso include SA 1917 with the flame logo on one side, and US 713545 on the other side.
The scabbard is presumably an M3 variant produced in the 1940s, as it is made of the resin material these later scabbards were made of with the metal throat.
It could realistically also be an M7 variant produced around the same time or later, as they are virtually identical to M3 scabbards.
The bayonet likely saw action, and could have been used in both WWI and WWII given that it is paired with a WWII era scabbard, though nothing is certain.
The scabbard itself has several words etched into the sides, one reading “Troop 67 Franklin VA”, and the other side featuring initials “B.D.” and the what looks like “Reynold Lawyer”.
Not sure what all the etchings are referring to, but Troop 67 may have been a Cavalry branch of the Army during WWII based out of Franklin, VA, or it could have been a boy scout troop, we do not know.
B.D. and Reynold Lawyer are presumably referring to previous owners, or perhaps titles, not sure.
Overall, there is general wear to both parts of the set, both natural and created, rust to the metal parts, scratched surface of the scabbard, worn down old wooden handle, dulled blade, etc.
Please reach out to us if you would like more information on the piece, or if you have information you would like to share with us about the history of these blades.