Porter's Report
By Bill Porter
February 2005
It’s hard to believe that we’re already through our first month of 2005. I have a few more reproduction or prop bayonets to feature this month.
Update
I recently picked up an unknown bayonet that appears to be for the US M1 Garand. The bayonet started out as a Swiss M1911 bayonet. There have been some significant modifications made. The bottom of the cross-guard has been shortened and the muzzle-ring removed. A stud has been mounted to the rear of the cross-guard like that found on the US M5 bayonet. The originally bright blade has been Parkerized and the hilt and first inch of the blade have a darker finish. The original grip rivets have been replaced with slotted screws and hex nuts. This one feature leads me to believe that this may not have been an arsenal modification. A hole has been drilled crossways through the pommel. The original markings "WAFFENFABRIK NEUHAUSEN" are still visible on the ricasso.
Unfortunately I do not own a Garand to try this bayonet on, but comparing it to a M5 it appears that it would attach with no problem
Reproduction US M1905
This M1905 utilizes the hilt of an original M1905 bayonet but the blade is a replacement. It is much narrower than the original blade but the same length. there are visible grind marks on the blade. It has a false edge similar to the M4, M5, M6 and M7 bayonets. It is completely unmarked.
US M1905 – Type 1
This is a piece that turned many heads. A quick glance leads one to believe that this is the very rare US Model 1905 Type 1 experimental bayonet. Closer examination shows a couple of things: the blade is dated 1900, not 1905 as it should be. There is also a deformity about half way down the length of the blade. Someone took a 1900 dated Krag bayonet and welded an extension on the blade. The left grip is stamped with a capital "S" which represents Stembridge, the now-defunct gun rental firm that supplied weapons to the movie industry for years. I think this bayonet was made to be used as a M1905 in the movies.
Wooden M1905
Here’s an early recreation of the M1905 bayonet, from around the time of World War II. The hilt and scabbard are cut from a single piece of wood and painted to look like the real bayonet in the canvas and leather scabbard. There is a short web hanger fixed to the rear of the scabbard body that has the wire hanger for the standard US web belt. The crossguard is cut from a separate piece of wood and fits tightly into a slot cut between the hilt and scabbard body.
Mauser Prop
This is a one-piece cast resin model that looks like some type of Mauser bayonet. I originally thought it was a model of the German M1914 but it is too short.
US M9
Again we save the best for last. Here’s a cast resin model of the US M9 bayonet. This particular model was copied from a 1987 commercial model bayonet. The left ricasso bears the standard four line "PAT. PEND." markings and the right ricasso has the Buck markings along with the chevron ">" 1987 date code.
That wraps up the bayonets in this category that I will be featuring. Tune in next month for a new and exciting topic.
As always, I welcome your comments or input. You can reach me at porterkids@aol.com