Memorabilia

US WWI M1917 Rifle Bayonet: Remington

Bayonet for the M1917 Rifle has fullered blade in very good condition with just a few minor age blemishes, gray Parkerized finish throughout but for a small bit of bluing extending beyond the guard to the ricasso, as in the early M1905 bayonets where the tang was blued but the blade finished bright.  Ricasso has "1917" over Remington circular marking on one side, Ordnance bomb and eagle proof stamps with "U.S." on the other.  Hilt has dark blued finish on the pommel, guard, and tang, with walnut scale grips.  Finish is abraded on one side of the muzzle ring.  Second pattern olive drab leather scabbard has dark patina on the steel throat and drag, good overall condition.

$100 - $150

WWI M1917 Bolo Knife Lot: Two Examples

Includes two M1917 bolo knives by Plumb of St. Louis.  First has blade in excellent condition and wood grip scales showing normal light wear, housed in a khaki web covered scabbard.  The second has more wear on the blade and it exhibits sharpening marks, has nice wood grips, and is housed in one of the olive drab painted metal scabbards.  $150 - $250

WWI US M1905 Bayonet with Web Scabbard: Springfield Arsenal 1918

M1905 bayonet has fullered blade with blackened finish, has a bit of very light pitting near the tip and several small edge nicks.  Ricasso has Springfield Arsenal and Ordnance bomb marking with 1918 date; reverse has "US" and accountability number "835918".  Hilt shows light wear; has smooth walnut grips.  Web covered rawhide scabbard has faded web covering and leather tip, both with stains and normal light wear.  

$150 - $200

US M1913 Cavalry 'Patton' Saber: Springfield Arsenal 1913First year production Patton saber has ricasso with 1913 date and Springfield Arsenal markings on one side; "US / 2423" accountability number on the other.  Blade shows some age and spots of light pitting but remains good overall.  Scabbard has the web portion dyed black with a running red diamond motif. $200 - $300

WWI US Marked Canadian Ross Rifle Bayonet Lot: Two Examples

First example is 37cm (~14-1/2") overall, has blade with the original MKI profile prow point, in good overall condition with minor blemishes.  Blued finish protection terminates just beyond the guard.  Hilt has traces of blued finish blending with light patina, stepped muzzle ring, wood grip scales marked with Ordnance bomb and "U.S." in addition to the original Canadian inspector stamp.  Pommel has "Ross Rifle Co. / Quebec" with 1907 patent date and lined out markings on one side, button side has C-BroadArrow stamp with "8-09" production date stamp.  Includes US marked scabbard.

Second is the MKII modification: 37.2cm (~14-1/2") overall, blade has long prow point, very nice condition with just a bit of light scabbard wear.  Blued finish terminates just beyond the guard.  Hilt retains most of its blued finish, marked with C-BroadArrow and 1916 date on the attachment button side of the square hilt.  Opposite side has "Ross Rifle Co. / Quebec".  Wood scale grips show light service wear, secured by spanner bolts and marked with inspector stamps.  Brown leather scabbard is marked with "US" stamp among Canadian markings, belt loop is pierced with hole in the back just above the stitching, for the purpose of attaching to the belt hook on the Canadian uniform.  $200 - $300

WWI US M1905 Bayonet with Web Scabbard: Springfield Arsenal 1907
M1905 bayonet has fullered blade with bright finish, with the 1/4" bluing line beyond the guard, a few very light age blemishes, quite nice overall.  Ricasso has Springfield Arsenal and Ordnance bomb marking with 1907 date; reverse has "US" and accountability number "220310".  Hilt shows light patina on the guard, smooth walnut grip scales, and blued pommel with the "A" stamp on the mortise indicating that it was altered to incorporate the improved version of the catch.  Web covered rawhide scabbard remains in nice condition, with a good clear 1917 dated maker stamp on the leather tip.
$200 - $300

Scarce M1910 bolo has the push button scabbard catch that was omitted on the later 1917 and 1917  C.T. pattern knives. Ricasso is stamped "S. A. / [Ordnance Bomb]  / 1912" and "U.S. / 19237" on the reverse.  Blade is finished bright with a few very light blemishes.  Hilt has slight traces of blued finish mixed with dark plumb patina, has walnut grip scales with a bit of material loss on the underside.  Includes a good early light olive web covered rawhide scabbard.  For every couple of hundred Bolos we handle, we are lucky if only one is this early style. Scarce blade missing from most collections.. and as scarce as the knives are, the correct old scabbards are doubly so - most of the examples that we have had were in surplus 1917 and 1918 dated scabbards.  $200 - $300

US M1909 Bolo Knife & Scabbard: Plumb 1917

The M1909 bolo knives were made by Springfield Armory between 1909 and 1915 for use in tropical climates due to experience in Cuba and the Philippines, then revived briefly for WWI as the M1917 by both Plumb and Collins.  49.5cm (19-1/2") overall, with 35.5 cm (~13-7/8") curved bolo style blade with single bevel edge.  Blade is in good polish with normal scabbard wear and a few light blemishes.  Ricasso has "U.S. / 53116" accountability number on one side, and maker "PLUMB / PHILA. / (Ordnance bomb) / 1917" on the other.  Has thick steel crossguard with blued finish worn away leaving only a smooth gray patina, and curved walnut two-piece scale grips.  Pecard-free brown leather scabbard shows little wear; reverse has "LADEW" maker stamp and inspector initials just below the belt loop. 

$300 - $400

US M1917 Trench Knife: A.C. Co. 'Flange Guard'

1917 pattern trench knife has triangular blade retaining 80% blued finish.  Steel guard is just as nice with 80% or better blued finish mixing with a 'plumb' patina, has  "A.C. Co. / U.S.A. / 1917" maker stamp on the inside, knuckle guard with exterior edge 'flange' striking studs, and good contoured walnut grip.  Has the correct "JEWELL 1918" marked scabbard with olive drab leather body in excellent condition.  $300 - $500

US WWI M1917 Trench Knife - Scarce 'Extra Knuckle' Variation

M1917 Trench knife has triangular blade, retains 80% blackened finish; comparably nice finish on the metal portion of the hilt.   Guard has "U.S. / L.F.&C. / 1917" maker stamp, knuckle guard with pyramid studs, and a contoured walnut grip.  Guard has an 'extra' knuckle just below the blade.  Complete with nice condition "JEWELL 1918" marked scabbard.  Very few were made in this style were produced, making it one of the more difficult to acquire WWI U.S. edged weapons. $600-$800

M1917 Trench knife has triangular blade, retains 80% blackened finish; comparably nice finish on the metal portion of the hilt as well with just a few light rust spots.   Guard has "U.S. / L.F.&C. / 1917" maker stamp, knuckle guard with pyramid studs, and contoured walnut grip.  Guard has an 'extra' knuckle just below the blade.  Complete with nice condition "JEWELL 1918" marked scabbard.  Very few were made in this style were produced making it one of the more difficult to acquire WWI U.S. edged weapons. $400-$600

US Mark I 1918 Trench Knife & Scabbard: French Aulion Maker

The Mark I design was based on a survey of all of the successful trench knives in used to that point in WWI.  Double-edged French pattern blade has light 'salt and pepper' age spots, above average overall with a partially visible Aulion maker's lion logo on the ricasso.  Solid cast brass knuckle bow and grip has nice uncleaned, mellow age patina with "U.S. 1918" stamp.  Complete with the proper French stamped metal scabbard which still retains the belt attachment prongs.  $1000 - $1500

The Mark I design was based on a survey of all of the successful trench knives in used to that point in WWI.  Double-edged French pattern blade has light age blemishes and shows signs of sharpening, above average overall with a nice clear strike of the Aulion maker's lion logo on the ricasso.  Solid cast brass knuckle bow and grip has nice uncleaned, mellow age patina with "U.S. 1918" stamp.  Complete with the proper French stamped metal scabbard which still retains the belt attachment prongs.  $1200 - $1600

Imperial German 98/05 n/A. S. Sawback Bayonet - F. Koeller & Co. / Dürkopp Werke

Fullered sawback blade in good polish has ricasso with a faint, partially legible "F. Koeller & Co." maker stamp and a good strike of the "Dürkopp Werke A.G." finishing contract stamp.  Undated spine has Imperial proof.  Hilt is similarly nice with a light patina, crossguard with short 'ears', flashguard, and ribbed light walnut grip scales.  Includes good blued steel scabbard further complete with brown leather frog showing normal service wear and missing several small rivets but still in fine condition for display.

$150 - $250

Bavarian M1889 Cavalry Sword

Quillback blade has a few areas of very light 'salt and pepper' pitting, with "F.W. Höller / Solingen" maker stamp at the ricasso.  Spine has Bavarian crown proof and 1915 date.  Steel guard features the Bavarian lion emblem, and the contoured brown bakelite grip remains intact.  Hilt lacks the pommel nut.  Complete with scabbard, with unit markings on the throat. 

$150 - $250

Bavarian WWI Artillery Saber

Curved blade with wide fuller has some light age spots and discoloration from grease in the scabbard, but remains in very good overall condition.  Spine at the ricasso has Bavarian crown proof and 1914 date, maker "Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie." on the ricasso.  Steel hilt has dark gray patina; leather covering on the grip has worn away revealing the wood core and cord wrap.  Includes steel scabbard with a nice 'plumb' finish.  $150 - $250

Imperial German WWI Close Combat Knife Lot: Three Examples

First example is 25.5cm (10") overall, unmarked blade with dark patina, salt-and-pepper pitting throughout with areas of heavier pitting toward the tip.  Hilt has bird's head pommel, guard with rearward-swept quillon, and black composition checkered two-piece grip scales.  Leather scabbard is missing it's metal tip; has belt loop with retaining strap.

Second is 26.5cm (10-3/8") overall, unmarked blade with dark patina, salt-and-pepper pitting throughout with areas of heavier pitting and blemishes; tip is broken.  Functional bayonet style hilt has bird's head pommel with mortise and button, black painted steel guard has rearward-swept quillon, and black composition checkered two-piece grip scales has a break on one side.  Steel bayonet style scabbard with frog stud has traces of black painted finish blending with mottled patina.

Third example is a mismatch of knife and scabbard.  Knife is 33cm (13") overall, unmarked blade with some light pitting at the tip.  Hilt has recurved guard, ferrule, and brown horn over a through tang with turned pommel cap.  Scabbard is actually for an ersatz bayonet, with feldgrau painted finish.  $150 - $200

German & Austrian WWI Ersatz Bayonet Lot: Three Bayonets including one Post-War Belgian Bayonet

Includes one Austrian ersatz twist blade bayonet: 36cm (14-1/8") overall, all steel construction with twist blade, squared profile muzzle ring, and spring steel attachment which has broken on one side.  Dark patina.  Has accountability numbers stamped behind the muzzle ring.

Second bayonet is a German Ersatz bayonet for the Gew. 98 rifle, identified in Anthony Carter's exhaustive reference as example #32.  44.5cm (17-1/2") overall with fullered blade differentiating it from #33.  Stamped "98" on the pommel to readily identify the rifle that it was intended to fit.  Blade is in very nice shape with only a few minor age spots; hilt has darker patina.  Has an Imperial crown proof on the spine.  Includes blued steel scabbard.  From Carter: "These two bayonets, one fullered, the other unfullered, were designed solely for the Gewehr 98 and are stamped "98" on their pommels to indicate their purpose.  The steel hilts were solid cast and a slot was cut to take the blade tang which was then secured by two rivets.  Few fullered examples were made."

The third example appears in Carter's reference as #83, 48cm (17-3/4") overall, with fullered blade and a sheet steel hilt made in two halvs, riveted to the tang and pommel.  Gray steel patina throughout with minor age spots.  Mr. Carter classifies this one among Belgian export bayonets, and explains "During the postwar period, when the center of small arms production moved from Germany to Belgium and the newly-formed Czechoslovakia, the Belgians produced many weapons for their growing export trade.  Among these were a group of bayonets which, with their pressed steel hilts and obsolete blades, have often been (erroneously) classified as German ersatz."   No markings; includes German style blackened steel scabbard. 

$150 - $250

Imperial German WWI S.98 Bayonet Lot of Two Examples: Hörster 1906 and WKC Extra-Seitengewehr

Two Imperial German S.98 bayonets.  First is by E.F. Hörster, with Prussian crown proof and "06" date on the spine.  Fullered quillback blade is in excellent condition, marred only by the grease from the scabbard that has been preserving it in this nice shape for so long.  Hilt has two-piece walnut scales, a bit of light pitting on the pommel, and crossguard with unit markings from Reserve Infantry Regiment 73.  Example is complete with the much more robust steel scabbard, retaining 80% black finish.

Second is an S.98 Extra-Seitengewehr dress bayonet.  Fullered quillback blade is in good condition with scattered age blemishes; Weyersberg, Kirschbaum, & Companie Knight's head maker logo on the ricasso.  Hilt has good walnut grip scales, guard, pommel, and scabbard fittings have nickel finish which is worn in spots.  Scabbard is steel mounted black leather with an old collection numbering tag on the reverse of the throat. 

$150 - $200

Imperial German S.71 Bayonet Lot: Erfurt / Simson 1878 & Unmarked Extra-Seitengewehr

Issue S.71 bayonet, 59.5cm (23-1/4") overall, fullered blade in nice condition with signs of service sharpening; ricasso has Erfurt arsenal marking on one side and blade supplier "GEBR. SIMSON / SUHL" on the opposite.  Cast brass hilt has functional spring and press stud; guard is marked to the 137th Infantry Regiment.  Includes black leather scabbard with brass throat and drag, complete with black leather belt frog.  Unit marking on the scabbard throat does not match that of the bayonet.  

Second bayonet is an Extra-Seitengewehr dress bayonet, 59.5cm (23-1/4") overall, thin 2.3cm wide unfullered blade has acid-etched scrollwork and martial vignettes, unmarked ricasso, and hilt cast for dress purposes only with no mortise.  There was at one time a steel leaf spring, though this is now lacking.  Includes a nice brass mounted black leather scabbard.  $150 - $200

Imperial German WWI Westphalian Train Battalion No. 7 Officer's Sword

Model 1852 Train Battalion officer's sword, has 81cm (~31-3/4") gently curved blade without a maker marking.  Blade is etched on the spine, on one side with a blued background vignette of mounted Imperial soldiers, and on the other with a blued background unit designation for "Weftf. Train Bataillon No. 7".  Hilt has nickel finish three branch basket guard, dove profile pommel, and nice ribbed black composition grip.  Scabbard retains blackened finish.  

$200 - $300

Prussian M1889 Cavalry Sword

Quillback blade remains in excellent condition, with "Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie. Solingen" maker stamp at the ricasso.  Spine has Prussian crown proof and 1914 date.  Steel guard features the eagle emblem, and the contoured brown bakelite grip remains intact.  Complete with scabbard.  Scabbard has a few dents but remains functional and nice overall. 

$200 - $300

Prussian WWI Artillery Saber

Curved, fullered blade has some light age spots and discoloration from grease in the scabbard, as well as a few very minor edge nicks.  Spine at the ricasso has Prussian crown proof and 1910 date.  Steel hilt is dark with patina; ribbed composition grip remains intact.  Includes darkened steel scabbard that shows numerous scuffs and dents from service.  Scabbard and sword hilt both feature the same Foot Artillery unit markings. 

$200 - $300

5-7/8" double-edged blade in very nice condition, has ricasso with circular (though a strike that is only partially legible) "DEMAG / DUISBURG" maker's trademark and reverse "DRGM".  Distinctive crossguard has slightly forward-swept quillon and short muzzle rest, retains black painted finish.  Two-piece stamped metal 'crank' handle retains 90%+ feldgrau finish.  Pommel has functional press stud and bayonet mounting mortise.  Complete with scabbard retaining 50% black painted finish blending with patina.  Has a  good pliable leather belt loop and retaining strap with 'Prym' snap.  Excellent example.  $200 - $300

First example is 11" overall with a 6" double-sided blade engraved with maker's patriotic vignette at the ricasso.  Has recurved guard and stag handle grip, lacks pommel cap.  Complete with a standard black painted steel scabbard with brown leather belt loop and retaining strap with Prym snap.  

Second is 11" overall with a 5-3/4" blade which shows signs of normal sharpening.  Has recurved iron guard and a nice stag handle grip.  Complete with a standard steel scabbard retaining traces of black painted finish, mounted by brown leather belt loop and retaining strap with Prym snap.  $200 - $300