S.A. 1917 bayonet

[sarge2727]

Hi guys, I am new here, just figured out how to post. (dinosaur)
I have a Springfield Armories 1917 Bayonet, the shortened version (9.75") with Hard plastic and steel sheath.
It is an original. I want to know what kind of steel these were made of, and also what would be an equivalent steel today?
If any of you aficionados out there have an answer, I would greatly appreciate.
Thanks,

Have a great day!

Sarge

 

[Jack Black]

Hard plastic

Bakelite?

 

[sarge2727]

Could very well be.....the metal part is at the top, where the bayonet locks into the sheath.

 

[Jack Black]

Could very well be.....the metal part is at the top, where the bayonet locks into the sheath.

The reason I ask is that I wasn't aware plastic was that old. Sorry, can't help on the steel I'm afraid, but with this little bump hopefully one of the hundreds of Bladeforums users with more knowledge than me will be along to help you out

 

[sarge2727]

thanks! anything helps.

Sarge

 

[The_Monkeyboy]

Bakelite and several other kinds of plastics go back to the 1800s at least. How was your bayonet cut down? And does it have the two grooves cut across the wood on the grip? Does it still have the ring for attaching to the barrel? The main reason I ask is because the French cut down large numbers of these bayonets to turn them into fighting knives. I have no idea when or why. But they seem to have acquired enough of them to make it worth their while to do so. Just wondering if yours was one of those.

-Mb

 

[Jack Black]

Bakelite and several other kinds of plastics go back to the 1800s at least.

Thanks for that. See Sarge, I told you somebody smart would be along shortly