WWI RIA Bayonet - Your Thoughts?
-
BryanJ
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 8:53 pm
- Location: Talahassee
WWI RIA Bayonet - Your Thoughts?
Saw this in local antique shop, they are asking $500, not sure what they might take. I wanted opinions before I go back and possibly make an offer. Please excuse my cell phone photos. Thoughts?
- New_Windsor_NY
- Gold Tier

- Posts: 14012
- Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 4:50 pm
- Location: I'm On The Far Right On The Left Coast In Commiefornia
Re: WWI RIA Bayonet - Your Thoughts?
That is a good looking bayonet.
I know NOTHING about bayonets.
But, I do know that WW1 started on July 28, 1914.
Someone will hopefully stop by with some information on it.
In the meantime, here is what “AI” says about it.
I do NOT know how accurate this information is.
“On a bayonet, "R.I.A." stands for Rock Island Arsenal, a major U.S. Army manufacturing facility in Illinois. This stamp is commonly found on U.S. military bayonets produced in the early 20th century, most notably the Model 1905 designed for the M1903 Springfield and later the M1 Garand. When you find an R.I.A. stamp, it is usually accompanied by a date (e.g., 1906, 1911, or 1918) and the U.S. Ordnance "flaming bomb" proof mark. You can check U.S. Militaria Forum to see how collectors identify these models.”
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales
Skip
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales
Skip
- Ripster
- Silver Tier

- Posts: 5036
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:37 pm
- Location: Wi.USA
Re: WWI RIA Bayonet - Your Thoughts?
Here’s some info from Mr. Cole. Very informative when I was into Bayonets. 500 seems a bit high . Have several that we purchased a year or so ago for 150 each . But that was at a gun show. Would offer half there asking price and go from there .
JP
- Ripster
- Silver Tier

- Posts: 5036
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:37 pm
- Location: Wi.USA
Re: WWI RIA Bayonet - Your Thoughts?
It looks like it’s been buffed or polished. The original finish should look like these here . These are the ones we paid 150 each 2 years ago .
JP