Officially named the M-1900 Bolo Bayonet, the Krag Bolo Bayonet, is a variant of the M-1892 Bayonet. It is extremely rare and many attempts have been made to create fakes of this rare bayonet, especially by welding M-1892 Bayonets to M-1910 Bolo Knives.
Only 50 of these Bolo Bayonets were produced at the Springfield Armory in 1902, and 6 in 1903. Designed and issued for field trials in the Philippines, no actual indication of their use in such trials have been found in military documents to date.
Great care should be taken in acquiring and authenticating this rare bayonet.
M-1902 Basic Data[]
Blade Length: 10.25 inches
Overall Length: 14.55 inches
Blade Width: 2.1 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.25 inches
Scabbards: There was one distinct blued metal body scabbard manufactured for the M-1902 Bolo Bayonet. This scabbard has a wire hanger is more rare than the bayonet.
M-1904 Hospital Corps Knife Basic Information[]
The M-1904 Hospital Corps Knife was the first of the modern Springfield Armory made edged weapons to carry a serial number. Designed for use by the U. S. Army Medical Corps, over 40,000 Hospital Corps Knives were made at the Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA between 1904 and 1914, however, none have been found with the 1906 date. According to archive correspondence, the first 236 knives were issued without serial numbers, but at the request of the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, the Springfield Armory began the serial numbering process with number 237 and continuing upward. Previously issued knives were recalled for numbering, but a very small number of knives without serial numbers have survived. The lowest known serial number is 264. Contrary to many stories, the knife was not designed for "field expedient amputations", but the look in the novice's eyes often make the tale worth the telling.
M-1904 Basic Data[]
Blade Length: 12.0 inches
Overall Length: 17.25 inches
Blade Width: 2.25 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.375 inches
Scabbards: Leather with a belt loop or with a Krag-style belt hanger. Several variations of metal throats are known.
* Production figures from Arsenal Of Freedom, Wm. Brophy, and validated by Burton Kellerstedt with exceptions: (a) 2,705; and, (b) 2,000** The first 236 M-1904 Hospital Corp Bolo Knives were originally issued without serial numbers. The Surgeon General asked that they be numbered and they Springfield Armory began numbering them beginning with 237 and forward. Although correspondence from the Armory indicates that previously issued knives were to be returned for numbering, no evidence exists that the were.*** Indicates where serial number are known to overlap the presented (lowest known) serial number of the following year. This was caused when bayonets were dated at the end of the calendar year, then stored for straightening, inspection and stamping with a serial number. At the beginning of the calendar year, when bayonets in production were stamped with the new year’s date and sent to storage, it appears that some of the more recent bayonets were brought out before the slightly older ones.Low/High serial numbers are from research in progress by author.7-14-2007
M-1909 Bolo Bayonet Basic Information[]
The M-1909 Bolo Bayonet is a variant of the M-1909 Bolo Knife and has been seen in three forms, all of which are distinguished by differences in the hilt. It is extremely scarce and many attempts have been made to create fakes of this rare bolo bayonet, usually by welding M-1892 Bayonets to M-1909 Bolo Knives.
Only 50 of these Bolo Bayonets were produced at the Springfield Armory in 1911, and 52 in 1913. Designed and issued for field use, no actual records of their use have been found in military documents to date.
Great care should be taken in acquiring and authenticating this rare bolo bayonet.
M-1909 Basic Data[]
Blade Length: 13.9 inches
Overall Length: 19.5 inches
Blade Width: 2.3 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.3125 inches
Scabbards: There standard scabbard manufactured for the M-1909 Bolo in 1911 and 1913 by Rock Island are correct.
Note: Line drawing is of an experimental M-1909 bolo bayonet.
M-1910 Bolo Knife Basic Information[]
The M-1910 Bolo Knife was adopted to be used for clearing brush and foliage from fields of fire or for cutting through jungle growth. Issued concurrently with the larger M-1909 Bolo Knife, the M-1910 Bolo Knife was produced at the Springfield Armory between 1910 and 1917.
Official armory records indicated just under 60,000 were produced. Many Springfield Armory made M-1910 Bolo Knives were later blued and re-issued for WWII. Records indicate the M-1910 Bolo Knife was primarily issued to machine gun companies for clearing fields of fire, and possibly to signal units for clearing brush to string land lines.
Variant:
In 1917 Plumb and American Cutlery also were contracted to make parkerized bolo knives often designated the M-1917 Bolo by collectors. Later bolo knives of all producers were made without catches.
M-1910 Basic Data[]
Blade Length: 10.25 inches
Overall Length: 15.0 inches
Blade Width: 2.125 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.25 inches
Scabbards: The standard M-1910 Bolo Scabbard is fashioned much in the same manner of the M-1910 bayonet scabbard with wood covered in sewn pigskin, a metal throat, metal belt hanger, and a canvas cover with leather tip. In addition to the Rock Island Arsenal version, four civilian contractor scabbards are commonly seen. A metal scabbard was also made by L.F. & C. with a leather connector to a wire belt hanger.
M-191 Bolo Bayonet Basic Information[]
The M-1915 Bolo Bayonet was designed as a replacement for the M-1909 Bolo Bayonet. It is an extremely scarce, although over 6,000 were manufactured. In FY 1916 there were 3,200 M-1915 Bolo Bayonets produced at the Springfield Armory, and 2,804 were made there in 1913. Designed and issued for field use, no actual records of widespread use have been found in military documents to date. It appease to have only been used in the Phillipines.
Great care should be taken in acquiring and authenticating this rare bolo bayonet.
M-1915 Basic Data[]
Blade Length: 15.75 inches
Overall Length: 20.9 inches
Blade Width: 1.9 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.225 inches
Scabbards: There standard scabbard manufactured for the M-1915 Bolo is canvas covered with a brass throat and drag. It is extremely scarce.