Rifleman Q&A: Correct WWII M1 Bayonets

by
posted on September 12, 2021
soldier rifle m1 bayonet blade gun war

Q. I would like to get a bayonet for display with my World War II M1 Garand rifle. There are different blade lengths and handle types on bayonets said to be for M1s at my local gun shows. What type of bayonet do I need?


A. For M1 rifles in service up to circa 1943, the M1905 bayonet (16” blade) would be correct. M1905 bayonets were in production from 1905 until the early 1920s at Springfield Armory and from 1905 to 1919 at Rock Island Arsenal.

Large numbers of these bayonets remained in use during World War II. In 1942, the M1905 bayonet was put back into production by several commercial firms. The World War II-vintage M1905 bayonets were not as well crafted as their pre-war, arsenal-made counterparts and were fitted with plastic, rather than walnut, grips.

In early 1943, the M1905 bayonet was superseded by the “M1” bayonet. It was virtually identical to the World War II M1905 bayonet except the blade length was reduced to 10”. Fairly large numbers of M1905 bayonets had their blades shortened to 10”, although many unmodified bayonets remained in use throughout the war.

—Bruce N. Canfield


This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the October 2004 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, “Questions & Answers” was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Charles Karwan, Angus Laidlaw, Evan P. Marshall, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, A.W.F. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John Treakle.

To subscribe to the magazine, please visit the NRA membership page and select American Rifleman as your member magazine.

Latest

Springfield Amory Echelon
Springfield Amory Echelon

Springfield Echelon: The Leading Edge Of Self-Defense

A new full-size pistol from a trusted brand brings the latest thinking to bear on the striker-fired, polymer-frame semi-automatic format—whether for duty or everyday carry.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 2, 2023

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FBI Underreports Armed Citizen Actions, Study Says

A detailed study on lives saved by the actions of armed, law-abiding citizens, issued on Aug. 31 by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), found the number reported annually by the FBI reflects a mere fraction of the real figure.

Product Preview: Cold Steel Heavy Duty Sword Cane

A flat-black exterior finish on its heat-treated aluminum shaft and a black, molded-nylon handle give Cold Steel’s Heavy Duty Sword Cane a discreet appearance.

5 Must-Know Rifle Drills

While the basics are fairly fixed, firearm training is in constant evolution, with shooters developing new techniques to safely and skillfully build handling and shooting techniques to maximize the potential for both new and seasoned shooters.

New For 2023: CVA Crossfire

The CVA Crossfire is the latest muzzleloading design to utilize the Federal FireStick system, which makes loading safer, more consistent and easier.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.