All About Pocket Knives

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?

BryanJ wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2026 5:41 pm Saw…..

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.”

BryanJ wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2026 5:41 pm 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?

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 .

BryanJ wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2026 5:41 pm 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?

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 .