Enfield pattern 1917 Bayonet
Remington
Dated August 1917
Stock No B044
Price: £125

Excellent Condition

Rare Remington Model 1917 Bayonet With British Marks Crossed Out and US Added
Note the Double US Marking and the Lack of a Clearing Hole.

This example also retains its original Remington Scabbard as well.

Early Example

History

The Model 1917 is a US Rifle and Bayonet dictated by the necessities of war. England had been working on a rifle to replace the Lee-Enfield, and had adopted a totally new design in .276 caliber as the Pattern 1913. Production had not begun when they entered World War One in 1914, and the rifle was redesigned to chamber the then standard .303 cartridge then re-designated the Pattern 1914. It was evident that to switch production in any of the existing rifle plants to the new design would be impossible as it would interfere with production of the SMLE which was in critically short supply. The decision was made to contract production of the new rifle in the USA, and contracts were given to Remington, Winchester, and a new company formed as Remington Arms of Delaware (which produced the rifle at Eddystone, PA).

The bayonet retained the Pattern 1913 designation since it was not modified. To readily distinguish it from the very similar Pattern 1907, it was given two vertical grooves in the grips. The bayonets were produced in the US by Remington at their Bridgeport Works and by Winchester. Eddystone did not produce bayonets. Remington supplied about 1,243,000 bayonets and Winchester about 225,000 to the British.

By the time the US became involved in the war, the contracts were expiring. After the Ordnance Department looked at a number of options, it was decided to remodel the British Pattern 1914 rifle for the US .30-06 cartridge, and the rifle was designated United States Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1917. The P13 bayonet was adopted into US service as the Bayonet, Model 1917.

The Model 1917 Bayonet continued to be finished as the British version had been. According to British specifications

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The Bayonets

The first bayonets produced by Remington on the US contract in September 1917 used the standard British marks as shown above. These then had the British proofs marked out and the US marking added as shown above. Why the British proof was used is not known as the British inspectors were no longer at the plant. A very few dated 10 17 have also been noted. Some of the 9 17 and 10 17 marked bayonets do not have the British proofs on the ricasso, but instead have the standard US marks of the Ordnance Shell and Flame, US, and a stylized eagle head with number underneath.

The Ordnance Department adopted the eagle head over number mark in 1917 so that the individual inspectors could be made responsible for their work.

It may also be noted that this Remington specimens has the typical British X mark.

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This example is from a large qty we have just acquired, they had to be degreased to remove 70 years plus of storage cosmoline
The grips have been re-oiled with linseed oil & the sheaths has been treated with leather dressing

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Swords, Bayonets & Knives Are Only Sold To Adults Over 18.
Photo I.D. As Proof Of Age Will Be Required When Ordering