Bayonet Grips

[wsfbernie]

The bayonet collectors keep sending me back to the rifle people. I collect both. So here's the question on M17 bayos: What is the true issue type of wood grip for WWI, smooth or with
two grooves? I've heard the grooves were put on to designate M17 vs. the M1903. I see
both available, especially in Remington. The Brits used the grooves adamantly. I've also
read the grooves were put on the grips during WWII for the lend lease bayos we sent over.
So, what is ACTUALLY correct for a US issue WWI rifle?:icon_scratch:

[Bill D]

I bought mine brand new surplus close to 60 years ago. A WWI vet helped me clean the cosmoline off of it. He said it was just like the one he carried in France and it has the grooves on the handles. Don't know if this proves anything but that's the story.

[wsfbernie]

Thank you for the info. Most I have seen ARE grooved, but I have run into smooth sided
ones too. I've found the M1917 to be more mysterious and challenging than the M1903,
although it was the REAL workhorse of WWI.

[Col. Colt]

The grooves were a British requirement, to keep two nearly identical - but NOT Interchangable - bayonets from being mixed up in Service. The Pattern 14/ 1914 Enfield bayonet would not fit on a regular SMLE Enfield, or vice versa. The bayonets appear the same except for the spacing of the bore hole (height) in the crosspiece.

Although I don't know that our guys here in the US Military even thought of it, the double groves would indeed make it easier to tell the identical M1917 bayonet was not for use with the M1903 - although the two bayonets look a lot more different than the two British bayonets. CC

[mannparks]

two gruve--http://arms2armor.com/Bayonets/us1917b1.htm