Found This WW2 Bayonet - Any Info Appreciated

[SolWarrior]

I found this bayonet while cutting the grass at my rental home. It was laying on the grass and I saw it as I walked by the already cut grass area. I cleaned the surface of the blade with a light coat of 3 in 1 oil and a rag to remove the rust build-up and to prevent rust damage. The edge looks fine (smooth) but I can press my thumb against it and it won't cut. If I press and slide I'm sure it will. I also took it apart and lightly oiled it with 3 in 1 then cleaned it all off real good -- nothing aggressive -- and left as is. The patina is intact and all moving parts are now in great working condition too. I wonder if the length is correct (Exact measurement -14 & 1/2 inches) and would appreciate any other info on it as well, including worth. (I looked around but did not find the sheath.) Thanks.

Let me know if the photos are coming out good or if they are too large. Not sure how to resize them but I'll work on it if needed. Thanks again.

[9ball]

I am not positive and not near any books but kinda looks like for a WWII M1 Garand. I will let someone confirm or make the correct call. Not sure on the stamps either.

9ball

[Paladin]

The stamp looks like Springfield Armory. Not sure what the initials represent. Clearly from 1943, so good find.

Ray

[SolWarrior]

Beside the O.L. is what they call a flaming bomb stamp. Not sure what that symbol is on the other side, between the U. and the S. Looks like an eye but it's too round. It's a circle within a circle with wavy lines above.

[knife7knut]

I have one with identical markings except mine is chrome plated.The initials stand for Union Fork & Hoe;the company that produced them for the government. It is a bayonet for the M1 Garand.

[SolWarrior]

That's one shiny bayonet. Awesome. U.F.H. vs A.F.H. I can't see it clearly but I believe yours has a slightly different symbol between the U. and the S. but both are 1943. Beautiful! I wonder if they just decided to change up the stamps a little in mid production, or if there's a reason behind it. Did yours come chromed like that from the factory or did someone decide to get it chrome plated later?

Side note: I use to work in a plating shop for the government. Many 1200 gallon tanks with different solutions/chemicals for different processes. Over 100 different type of chemicals - all types of acids to cyanide to chemicals used for nerve gas. Very hazardous. The old timers had what they call chromic holes on the roofs of their mouths going up into their sinus cavities. Many died within a few months to a year of retiring. Good, down to earth people.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I've said it before and I guess I'll repeat myself, you just gotta know that the American GI's made ribald jokes re' items made by "Union Fork & Hoe".

Good on U.F.&C. for landing multiple government contracts during WWII and doing their part, but it's still a funny name.

If you aren't getting my drift, say it real fast three times.

Charlie Noyes

[Old Hunter]

The first production period for the M1905 bayonet was from 1906 to 1922 and those were made at Rock Island Arsenal and Springfield Armory. Both of the bayonets pictured above (and others like them) were manufactured for WW-II in 1942 and during the first half of 1943 during the second production period of the US Bayonet M1905; the blades were 16" in length. There were six manufacturers building them on contract for the government, but none were made at the government owned arsenals. In 1943 the blade was shortened in the Ordnance specification to 10" on the recommendation of the Cavalry and Infantry boards and the bayonet was redesignated the US Bayonet M1. Existing stocks of M1905 bayonets were shortened (what you two gents have) and redesignated US Bayonet M1 (Shortened). You also see them referred to as the M1905E1 - the experimental designation while they were being tested by the Infantry board. AF&H was the tang stamp of American Fork and Hoe in Geneva Ohio, UF&H was the tang stamp for Union Fork and Hoe in Columbus Ohio. There are two point shapes on the shortened bayonets, the spear point and the beak point. Both of the pictured bayonets have the spear point. Nice US artifacts of WW-II. OH

Ps the mark on both knives is the flaming bomb of the US Ordnance Corps - the acceptance mark used at that time by the Army inspectors at the various manufacturing plants. They varied because the tang stamps varied. During WW-II even the official brass on the uniform varied between manufacturers much more than it does today.

[knife7knut]

Thanks for that info Old Hunter;it is greatly appreciated. I didn't realize mine was marked differently that the OP's . I had a friend who worked in a plating shop and he polished and plated it for me many years ago. Probably took away any collector value it may have had but that doesn't bother me. I don't really collect military items but will buy them if they are reasonably priced.

[waggo71]

You got the gist of it, that bayonet started off life as a Union Fork and Hoe 16" piece. The round thing that looks kind of like the sun between the U and the S on the front is their very crude version of the U.S. Ordnance Flaming Bomb. The O.L. on the back indicates that it was reworked---in this case cut down to 12"---by the Oneida LTD company and they also stamped their version of the Ordnance bomb which looks much more "bomb"ie...

[SolWarrior]

Thanks for the detailed information, Old Hunter. That was very interesting and good to know that both these bayonets were shortened but done so by the manufacturer. Very cool. Thanks again, Felix

Charlie, I get it! My mind kind of runs like that already so it didn't take much to catch on.

Waggo71, So the circle within a circle and wavy lines above it is a rough version of a flaming bomb too. And the reason for the initials O.L. is very interesting as well. Those were the only missing pieces of information that I was still wondering about. It all makes sense now. Your guys make AAPK such an AWESOME site! Thanks, buddy!

[knife7knut]

And to confuse things even further here is one that I picked up at a junk shop a couple years ago.Appears to be a shortened(even further)M1 bayonet with no markings. Someone(not sure whether on here or another site)suggested that these were made in south Korea after WWII. Anyone seen one like this?

[waggo71]

And to confuse things even further here is one that I picked up at a junk shop a couple years ago.Appears to be a shortened(even further)M1 bayonet with no markings. Someone(not sure whether on here or another site)suggested that these were made in south Korea after WWII. Anyone seen one like this?

There is evidence to support the Korean connection. Midway through the Korean Conflict the U.S. Army switched over to the M5 bayonet, still designed to fit on the Garand but different hookup design and shorter blade at 6 3/4"...apparently the G.I.'s were not fans of having a sword hanging from the end of an already 10 lb. rifle so the progression of 16" to 10" continued still further. When the hostilities were put on hold we left several M1 rifles for the South Koreans under the Military Assistance Program along with a plentiful stock of accessories, among which were several of the 10" M1 bayonets. At some point the Koreans decided to cut them down to the new M5/M5A1 blade configuration not only to shorten and lighten but also to make them compatible with existing sheaths for other models. This involved not only shortening the blade but also thinning and making the top back cut as well. Original manufacturer marks fell victim to the metal removal of this process and as such these are unmarked.

By the way, spent yesterday afternoon with my 9 year old daughter running around Tecumseh (along with Blissfield and Adrian) hitting up some antique shops and gun stores...good times.

[terryl308]

I could be wrong on this but pretty sure the government did chrome plate some bayonets for special occasions, like parades, funerals and events that required dress uniforms and rifles. I have seen chrome plated helmets , rifles , and bayonets. I assumed they were done by someone for those special occasions and were "authorized". Terry

[SolWarrior]

Terry: Yes, you're right. We did plating of all sorts for C-130s, B-52 Bombers and F-100 fighter jets, mostly engine parts and did work on aircraft wings and such too but, we did get the occasional helmet or other ornamental projects as you described as well.