Original Item: Only One Available. At the start of WWI the British adopted the P-1914 Enfield rifle, which was made in the United States in .303 caliber, together with its sword bayonet designated by the British as the P-1913. Once the Americans joined the war in 1917 it was found that there was a great shortage of bayonets for their .30-06 Enfield rifle, known as the M1917. The rifle was identical to the P1914, except chambered for the U.S. .30-06 cartridge.

This resulted in the War Department in Washington helping themselves to British marked P-13 bayonets awaiting shipment to Europe. These seized bayonets were then "sanitized", had the British marking X-ed out and U.S. marking super imposed in their place.

Here is such an example, made by REMINGTON ARMS CO, still showing P-1913 and the manufacture date of 9 17 with the British acceptance marked crossed out and then surcharged U.S.. However, it is in a British P-14 / P-1907 scabbard, not a U.S. Scabbard. This may indicate that while marked for the U.S. Forces, it may have still been needed by the British, and retained. They also may have received it to use with a Remington "Trench Shotgun", and put it back in one of their own scabbards. The bayonet also appears to now have a "parkerized" finish, which may indicate reissue for use during WWII, when the Trench Shotguns were still very popular. Definitely some interesting history here!

The bayonet overall has a very nice phosphate "parkerized" finish, with no signs of post arsenal sharpening. The pommel and grip scales do show wear, so this is definitely a bayonet that was carried in service for some time after the arsenal refinishing. The scabbard is in very good condition, and did not have the leather or steel overpainted as many were. The leather retains some of the original black finish, while the fittings show a lovely worn blued lock.

A very interesting example of a U.S. WWI Bayonet, "acquired" from the British, and then possibly given back. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 17"
Blade Style: Single Edge with Fuller
Overall length: 21 3/4"
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 18"

The M1917 bayonet was used first during World War I by American soldiers on the Western Front. A sword bayonet design, the M1917 bayonet design was based on the British P1907 bayonet, which incorporated a long 17-inch blade. While designed primarily for the M1917 rifle the bayonet was fitted for use on all the "trench" shotguns at the time.

The M1917 was used frequently during the several different Banana Wars.

The U.S. continued to use the Word War I-made M1917 bayonets during World War II because of the large stockpiles left over. The new Trench Guns being procured and issued were still designed to use the old M1917 bayonet.

The bayonet was again called on during the Korean War for issue with the various Trench guns still in service.