1915 Bolo Bayonet for the Springfield 1903

[VeeVee]

Nice example of the bolo bayonet. Very very rare!

[legionnaire]

WOW is that part of your collection? It must be an original and how much did you get it? Were did you get that gem? It looks really nice quality.

Philip

[VeeVee]

I wish! No it's on ebay right now selling for $3k. I saved the photos so that we'd have the information stored in our "virtual" museum. I can't afford it so the next best thing is to preserve its image so we can all always see what it looks like

[Ron Mandell]

What a marvelous photo!! A truly beautiful artifact! Thank you for capturing, and preserving this image from E-Bay for us to admire.

Ron Mandell, History Teacher/WWII Buff
CW2, U.S. Army Reserve
Formerly Corporal, USMC, Viet Nam

[legionnaire]

The United States Bolo Bayonets in the Philippines

The reality of the bolo-bayonet is one of lightening the soldier’s
load. To the soldier in the field the idea was very appealing and
still is to this day. Combining two such similar appearing items as
the bolo and the bayonet seemed an intelligent way to lighten his
load. We were soon to find out that initial appearances could be very deceiving.

The Model of 1902 Bolo Bayonet is actually well documented in design and background. Originally designed and produced by Captain Hugh D. Wise Quartermaster, 9th Infantry, United States Army in 1901. Capt. Wise proposed the idea while serving in the jungles of the Philippines so this was an actual field evolved tool not something dreamt up in a lab or pattern room of some arsenal. Major Wise served on Samar at various times from 1901 to 1906. Samar was the place where almost all of Company C., 9th Infantry was wiped out in a surprise dawn attack.

The order given from Brigadier General Jacob Smith to Major Littleton Walker, USMC, Commander of a Brigade of Marines was "I want no prisoners." " I wish you to kill and burn. The more you kill and burn the better you will please me. I want all persons killed who are capable of bearing arms in actual hostilities against the United States." To say the fighting on Samar would be brutal and savage would be an understatement. In letters exchanged with the Ordnance Department Wise relayed information about actual experience fighting with the bayonet, both the Bowie version and the typical Model of 1892 then issued with the U.S. Magazine Rifle.

In a letter Captain Wise suggested:
"I have had numerous demands made upon me by troops serving in the field that they be supplied with bolos and it occurred to me that this article which is so essential be combined with the bayonet it would be a great aid to the troops who are operating through this densely jungled country. And at the same time would be quite as serviceable as either of the present bayonets as such. I therefore selected from a large number of bolos the one which, in balance, weight, and shape most satisfactorily combines the requirement of a bayonet, a fighting
cutlass, and a working bolo. This I had welded into the handle of a bayonet. The work is roughly done but will serve to give the idea. The advantage which this bolo-bayonet would have over either of the models now in use, are:-

1st. That it could easily be withdrawn from the body of a man who has been killed with it, since the cutting edge of it would slash a wound sufficiently large to allow the bayonet to be withdrawn and would also cut its way out as it is withdrawn. In this connection attention is invited to the fact that in the engagement of the Gandar River, Oct, 17th, 1901, several men of Company E, 9th Infantry while trying to extricate their bayonets from a dead enemy were killed by another, and all complain that the present bayonet can he withdrawn from a body only with the greatest difficulty.

2nd. This bolo-bayonet has all the properties of an excellent working bolo with which the men can cut their way through jungles, cut wood, or use for any of the other manifold purposes for which a bolo or hatchet is used. Its breadth, shape and strength make it a far better entrenching tool than the present bayonet. It is believed that a slightly increased weight is not sufficient to offset its many other advantages. Without the weight it would be as useless for chopping vines and jungle as the present bayonet and it is certainly better that troops should carry a useful implement and weapon of 25 oz. than that they should carry a comparatively useless on of 21 oz.

This bolo-bayonet was first made by me as an experiment for my own satisfaction and upon testing it in various ways I became so convinced of its efficiency that I decided to send it to you for such
disposition or action as the Commanding Officer may see fit.

It is suggested that perhaps the Ordnance Department might make a few of these bolo-bayonets of good steel for trial. The one which I forward is very roughly made and is of very poor material. It is requested that should the Ordnance Department see fit to do this they should confine themselves closely to the weight, shape, and dimensions of the model which has carefully selected.

With the field experience and the backing of his superiors it is was a natural to have the prototypes made up by the arsenal at Springfield. A total of 50 bolo bayonets were made up at Springfield Armory in May 1902. These 50 prototypes were then dispatched to field organizations for actual field-testing. The results were overwhelming in favor of the new item. With these 50 items actually used in testing it is improbable that we will ever find a mint unused example of this extremely rare bayonet. Keep that in mind should the possibility of purchasing one ever arise. Of the total 37 were deemed favorable, 9 unfavorable, 1 qualified and 1 no opportunity to test. This accounts for 48 of the original 50. If we add those 2 missing examples and assume they were kept for pattern purposes and the 1 which had no opportunity to test we can possibly still have 3 unused examples in existence of the 1902 dated specimen. Caveat Emptor. We also find that
an additional 6 were made up in calendar year 1903 but stated in the Springfield Record as Fiscal Year 1904. These specimens will be dated 1903 for the actual calendar production year. They were sent to the Engineer Board for testing as an intrenching tool as the imminent replacement by the rod bayonet for the new rifle was near. It should be noted that these items were made up years before Springfield started serial numbering bayonets. A serial numbered Model of 1902 Bolo bayonet should be looked at with suspicion of being a fake.

The Wise pattern Model of 1902 Bolo bayonet. The scabbards of the Model of 1902 bolo bayonet follow the design of the then current Model of 1898 bayonet. Simple rolled steel with finial end the entire assembly was blued for protection against the
elements. These scabbards were entirely made at Springfield and used the current Model of 1899 attachment device. The throat portion of the scabbard held a plate that would only allow the bayonet to enter in one direction, it was cut to fit. As the scabbard is rarer then the bayonet these too are made as reproductions.



The Wise pattern Model of 1902 Bolo bayonet scabbard.

The final deathblow was landed as the following year the Model of 1903
Springfield rifle was adopted which used the rod bayonet. Ordnance
sent out a letter stating that the satisfactory results of the testing
would be hampered by this decision but the exchange of the 5,000
requested machetes by the Philippine Department could be substituted
by the bolo bayonet for use by the Philippine Scouts. The reply came
from the Chief of Staff stating "The machetes already issued are
sufficient for the purpose." So we see the project was barely off the
ground when it was canceled. The cancellation coming not due to the
bolo bayonet itself but due to circumstance’s beyond its control. As
an aside the Wise pattern was later adopted as the Model of 1910 Bolo
Knife and still later as the Model 1917 and the Model 1917 C.T. None
were produced as bayonets but the pattern followed was that of Captain
Wises drawn up in the Philippines in 1901. This bolo knife pattern was
still being used in the U.S. military in the 1970’s as seen in photos
of that time period. It is from these bolo knives that many of the
fraudulent Model of 1902 bayonets are made.



We know the results of the rod bayonet experiment with the Model of
1903 rifle but when the idea for a bayonet to replace it came about
the Ordnance Department went straight for the knife bayonet theory.
Although most who advocated the bolo bayonet were still in places of
authority the idea was not brought back up with the same vigor of the
earlier arguments. On April 3, 1905 the Secretary of War approved a
report of a committee appointed by the Chief of Staff to consider the
adoption of a bayonet better then the rod bayonet for the Model of
1903 rifle. Two experimental models of the bolo bayonet were produced
for trials early in 1905 albeit by mistake. Both are named the Model
of 1905 by Hardin in his book American Bayonets, but given a type
number to differentiate them in description. The first or Type No. I
is very much like the Wise 1902 pattern but longer in blade length.
The blade in the specifications from Springfield Armory was to be 16
inches overall. The thought was to put the weight for chopping into
the blade, a very logical idea if applied to an axe but the original
1902 pattern bolo was balanced and this newer update was just too
heavy. It never made it past the experimental stages. In fact it was
produced in error. In a letter from Capt. Tracy C. Dickinson Ordnance
Department dated Feb. 15, 1905 he states; "The bolo bayonet submitted
herewith was not made exactly like desired by the instructions in O.O.
26791 –O- 621. A pencil sketch showing the general design of the bolo
bayonet is enclosed herewith, and he is instructed to manufacture one
bayonet in accordance therewith and to send it to this office by
express at the earliest practicable date. It should be provided with
the same handle as the present design of the knife bayonet." The
prototype has the grip of the Model of 1898 pattern bayonet with the
Krag type locking system. The 16 inch blade was stamped U.S. on the
reverse while the obverse is marked with the date, 1905, hence the
designation. This was the typical stamping then in use on the prior
Krag type bayonets before the adoption of the shell and flame marking,
place of manufacture and the serial number. The entire bayonet was
brightly polished with exceptional workmanship, it had to be as the
President was likely to inspect it! The total weight fell in at almost
2 pounds without a scabbard; it was massive. The second variation or
the Type No. II was a very interesting pattern. This is the design
requested initially by Brigadier General William Crozier, Chief of
Ordnance in his 1st endorsement of the above letter 621. Crozier
requested; "(e) One bolo bayonet of the same design as that submitted
by Captain Hugh D. Wise, Quartermaster, 9th U.S. Infantry, except that
the cross section in front of the guard is to be extended forward
without change sufficiently to make the total length of the blade 16
inches. This bayonet should also be made so that it can be assembled
to the U.S. Magazine Rifle, Model of 1903 provided with a Model of
1892 upper band." This is the only known bolo bayonet pattern with a
fuller in the blade. The Type No. II model is actually a Model of 1905
bayonet with a large belly at the end that mimics the Wise pattern.
Again the thought was to put the weight were it counts but to reduce
the overall weight of the component. A great idea which would allow
the quicker swing and increased velocity for a better cut. The major
draw back in this design is the grip, it affords little control and
much less comfort for a working tool. Add that to the decreased
ability as a bayonet and it spelled doom for the Type No. II. Again
blade length was the proscribed 16 inches total overall length. This
blade had a squared off fuller running 11 3/8 inches stopping short of
the sharp false edge top. The obverse is stamped with the date, 1905
while the reverse is stamped U.S. just like the Type I version. Again
the complete bayonet is finished bright and workmanship is impeccable.
In the end the knife bayonet won the trials without any special
consideration given for the bolo bayonet as a partial issue where it
was needed, in the jungles. Much of this is also due to the Ordnance
Department having egg on their face over the miserable failure of the
rod bayonet. They just wanted to get a traditional knife bayonet to
the troops fast before the President exploded. Had they delayed they
knew Roosevelt would have someone’s hide to tack up on his already
sizable trophy wall.




This is a composite of the three drawings in the Hardin book, The
American Bayonet showing the attempts at a bolo bayonet.



In the passing years a study was done on the intrenching abilities of
the knife bayonet but the bolo bayonet idea was passed over again. It
took on a new life again in 1911 when a board was formed to report on
the field equipment for the Philippine Scouts. The idea for the bolo
bayonet was again raised but this time it focused around the Model of
1909 Bolo Knife already in issue. The Philippine troops were sent
experimental Bolo Bayonets for testing in at least three different
patterns. The Experimental Type No. I, No 179, again using the Hardin
numbering, is a typical Model of 1898 bayonet handle with the Model of
1909 Bolo Knife blade affixed. A large heavy blade, 13 15/16 inches
long by 2 3/16 inches wide with the short thin grip spelled failure
for this example. Too many problems existed to correct this design.
The Type No. II design was even worse. It featured the typical Model
of 1909 Bolo Knife with an adapter to allow mounting on to the Model
of 1903 Springfield rifle. This locking adapter made the grip all but
useless in the everyday-working environment the bolo was supposed to
fill. This arrangement would have the hand blistered in a few swings.
The larger handle was a move in the right direction but it was not
effectively pulled off in design. The combined weight of this tool,
1.87 pounds, made it overbearing as a bayonet design. The Model of
1909 limited issue bayonet as shown in Hardin No. 176 tries to combat
the previous failures by having the larger handle applied to a
conventional configuration of a bayonet. This might have succeed if
the overall weight was paired down to an acceptable limit. Again the
weight factor, 1.87 pounds, on the end of a rifle places this weapon
among the ranks of the proverbial boat anchor. Quite useless as a
weapon attached to the rifle but none the less fearsome as a hand
wielded one. Although Hardin lists these bolo bayonets as Model of
1909 classifications, I believe the correct nomenclature should be
Model of 1911 as that is when they were made, tested and denied. The
name Model of 1909 is applied due to the shape of the blade
corresponding with that of the Model of 1909 Bolo Knife. Correcting
this oversight would be almost impossible at this point as the Hardin
numbers are firmly entrenched and it would do very little to update
the name just to the correct year. The final version was made in a
limited number, 50 pieces are recorded as being produced at
Springfield Armory and shipped to the Manila Ordnance Depot,
Philippine Department for test by the Philippine Scouts. The blade
again copies the standard issue M1909 bolo knife in profile. The blade
is 14 inches in length that gradually swells to 2 3/16 inches in
width. Like the Model of 1909 bolo knife the blade carries a chisel
grind being sharpened on the obverse side only. One complaint about
this type of grind is that it works at real chopping only for a
right-handed man. Another point of interest that is perplexing is the
locking system used on the experimental bolo bayonets, they all
retained the earlier Model of 1898 pommel mechanism. The then current
system in use by the M1905 bayonet had been in use for 6 years by the
time these prototypes were made. I could not find an explanation for
this arrangement in any specific letters requesting such a locking
device. Having the older style hilt it also retained the rivet
retaining system for the grips. The rivets were ground flush and left
bright. To also retain some of the angle of the Model of 1909 bolo
knife the handle is swelled at the guard allowing the grip to be
tilted slightly downward. This angle called for a new guard with an
angle bored hole to slip over the rifle barrel. The opposite flange of
the guard is also drilled with a smaller hole that mates with a line
up pin that protrudes from the mouth of the scabbard throat. This pin
aligns the bayonet in the scabbard while the throat holds a retaining
spring to clamp the bayonet in place. The scabbard body is of leather
while the throat is brass with the mouth soldered into place. It is
attached to the leather with domed brass rivets. Like the previous
scabbard this one also retains the belt loop for use to attach to any
belt, web or trousers, and prevent the scabbard from being knocked off
in thick jungle undergrowth.



The above photo is courtesy of Jim Maddox and his wonderful book
Collecting Bayonets.

In this same attempt to bring the bolo bayonet to the troops there
appears in 1911 several drawings submitted from the testers of what
they feel would make a good bolo bayonet. One drawing in specific was
a design that would be adopted in the future. Dated 21 November 1911 a
drawing submitted by Captain Robert Dickson, Philippine Scouts
stationed at Camp Connell on Samar, P.I. was approved by his direct
superior Major Hanson Ely with a slight redesign of the point and
forwarded to Ordnance for review. It may have taken some time and a
few refinements but eventually one of the suggested patterns became
the Model 1915 Bolo Bayonet.



Drawings submitted by the troops with their thoughts on the perfect
bolo bayonet.



That is jumping ahead somewhat as the design was actually first
produced in the year 1912 in a quantity of 52 and reported in the
Annual Report of the Secretary of War for Fiscal Year 1913. These new
bayonets were at sitting finished at Springfield Armory on December
18, 1912 and verified to the Chief of Ordnance via letter of that same
date. The Annual Report report shows the 52 bolo bayonets in Class 7
Section 5, Hand Arms Manufacture, it also shows the 52 bayonets again
in Class 7 Section 5 under the Hand Arms, Repaired classification. The
verbiage is "52, Bolo Bayonets, Altered". It is interesting to note
that when the bolos were completed they were given a through
inspection by the Chief himself with a random sample picked out along
with the original prototype built back in the Manila Ordnance Depot.
The sample did not pass the muster and was sent back to Springfield to
be altered along with the remaining 51 still there. It seems the rough
edge of the bayonet slot along with slightly oversized hand grips were
not to the liking of the chief. Remember the tool would be used for
working so the wood to metal needed to be as smooth as possible to
avoid hurting the scouts hands. The estimated cost of the rework was
$26.00. It was approved and work started on January 18, 1913. The
altered bolos were finish on February 15, 1913 and shipped to Rock
Island Arsenal for manufacture of the scabbards. There is not an entry
for scabbards for the Model of 1912 bolo bayonets in any of the
manufacture sections of the 1913 Annual Report to the Secretary of
War. At the time Watertown Arsenal accounted for many of the scabbards
produced but checking their annual report, subsection of the same
Secretary of War report, none were made there either. It is spelled
out in the letters and endorsements that Rock Island made the
scabbards to follow exactly the pattern submitted from the Manila
Ordnance Depot. Upon completion one scabbard would be sent to
Springfield along with one bayonet for the museum. The sample and the
sample scabbard would be sent to the Chief of Ordnance in Washington
and the remaining 50 would be sent to Manila Ordnance Depot, P.I. The
50 completed bolos and scabbards were shipped to Manila on August 2,
1913 from Rock Island. They were received on October 10, 1913 and
issued by quantities of ten to the 16th, 35th, 47th, 51st, and 52nd
Companies of the Philippine Scouts for testing. The first Model of
1912 bolo bayonets did not have the Model of 1905 scabbard retaining
catch in the grip as the drawing suggests. The scabbards were to have
a spring retainer in the throat. It was requested that the spring
retainer give good pressure and be made of a non corrosive material.
They also requested that the spring be removable for replacement
purposes if broken. The original letter from Major Joyes sent with the
sample bayonet and sample scabbards from Manila went on to state a
loop for the belt was mandatory as no other way was secure enough to
prevent loss in thick jungle or undergrowth. Finally the endorsement
went on to ask that the scabbard not be made of leather as it did not
last long in the humid jungles of the Philippines and a heavy fabric
would be preferable as long as it could be made strong. The bayonet
itself followed the typical markings as the Model of 1905 bayonet with
the S.A. marking over the Ordnance shell and flame and then the year,
1912. On the opposite side the blade was stamped U.S. over the serial
number. This model is not shown in The American Bayonet. A photo of a
surviving example is here, the only one I know of to still exist.



These photos are of the ultra rare Model of 1912 Bolo bayonet in the
collection of Robin Bartel.



On May 22,1915 the final design was approved with 6,000 bolo bayonets
and scabbards being ordered for issue to the Philippine Scouts.



The blueprint for the Model of 1915 Bolo Bayonet

The very first Model of 1915 Bolo Bayonets were made without the
typical Model of 1905 type scabbard catch, a spring steel clip inside
the scabbard being used to retain the weapon. Survival rates indicate
that very few were made without the catch. The only one I am aware of
on display is at the Quartermaster Museum in Ft. Lee Va. In fact the
one they have on display is probably the original prototype as it has
two slight fullers that the original letter speaks about but was not
to be part of the Springfield made production items. A fascinating
item on display at the Quartermaster Museum of all the unlikely
places. Fellow member Jim Maddox has the only other one I know of. It
is shown in a photograph here with the grips off.



More photos of a rare Model of 1915 bolo with special grip from our
good friend Jim Maddox.

This is the exact same bayonet shown in Hardin’s American Bayonet as
Variation No. 1. Jim allowed the used of the photos here to show what
Hardin describes in his text. This is the first time to my knowledge
this has been shown and explained. The grips appear to be that of the
M1905, without the additional center swell so they do not completely
cover the hilt. Additionally they are machined to allow for the
necessary clearance around the catch spring recess. The hilt was
designed to employ the catch but for reasons unknown it was not used.
It appears that a standard M1903 latch bar assembly was initially
used. The second design, that which is typically encountered, although
that isn’t an accurate term as none of the M1915’s are encountered
often, contains the scabbard catch locking system. It is of the
Norwegian Krag locking style and is the only U.S. bolo bayonet design
with that system. Shown with this article is a machinist drawing of
the bayonet and the catch system. The original dates of the drawings
are unknown but they appeared in a 1917-dated book. The description of
the bayonet directly from Hardin is well written and appropriate here.

"The 15 13/16 inch long blade is of streamlined bolo pattern. It is 1
15/16 inches wide and 7/32 inches thick. The false and true edges are
both "V" ground on each side, the former for 5 ¾ inches from the long,
tapering semi spear point and the latter for 11 ¾ inches. The ricasso
is a heavy rectangle, stamped vertically on the obverse side with
"U.S." over the serial number and on the reverse side with "S.A." /
Ordnance Escutcheon / "1916". The blade is finished bright."



It does not appear from further research that more than the initial
orders of 6,002 bolo bayonets originally requested were ever made. A
total of 3,200 were made during 1916 (Fiscal Year 1916, 1 June 1915 to
30 May 1916.) The remainder being made up during the latter part of
1916. In a letter they state 5800 were shipped 2/16 through 7/16 to
Manila and the remaining 202 were shipped to Rock Island Arsenal.
Prior to World War One the Philippine Scouts numbered less then the
authorized 6,000 men but quickly ballooned to over 8,000 at the onset
of war. The Model of 1915 Bolo Bayonet served proudly in the
Philippines but was never recorded to have been used in Europe during
the hostilities. Looking over countless photos finding a picture of
the Model of 1915 bolo is tough enough, none to my knowledge exist of
the bayonet being worn or used in Europe. The bolo bayonet seemed to
carry on quite well until a letter from the Commanding General of the
Philippine Department to the Chief of Staff in 1920 recommended that
the standard infantry bayonet be issued to Filipino scout
organizations as fast as the present supply of the bolo bayonets
becomes unserviceable. This in effect discontinued the issue of bolo
bayonets. Although we find a letter in the Chief of Infantry files
dated 1922 in which it states the Philippine Scouts are still armed
with the M1915 bolo bayonets. It was taking time to have the 6,000
bolo bayonets to be deemed unserviceable. In fact they were so popular
with the troops it was not possible to have them trade for the
standard Model of 1905. With the issue of the "Weeks" report in 1924
it was still not possible to remove the M1915 bolo bayonet from a
Scout unless a local made proper bolo were to be exchanged for it.



The final product, the Model of 1915 Bolo bayonet

In 1935 a memo was circulated that M1913 Cavalry Saber was to be
discontinued. This action left the Cavalry with no edged side arms as
horse troopers were not issued M1905 bayonets. In the Philippines the
following suggestion was made by the Colonel of the 26th Cavalry (PS).

It is strongly recommended that the Ordnance Bayonet M/15 be
authorized as an article of issue to this regiment in lieu of the
Quartermaster bolo.

The action was approved by the War Department and issue of the M1915
to the 26th Cav (PS) was carried out in late 1936. Approval was later
granted for a change in the TO&E to have the bayonet issued one per
man. This would account for all of the bolo bayonets remaining in the
Philippines to have been issued to the 26th Cavalry. The 26th Cavalry
was the last mounted cavalry unit of the US Army to fight on horseback
against an enemy. As the unit was devastated in fighting a delaying
action against the Japanese during World War Two very few of the Model
of 1915 bolo bayonets survived the war. Indeed because of the unit
having to surrender very few photographs exist of the unit prior to
and during the war. This avenue of evidence is missing from archives
and has yet to be discovered by this author.

The scabbard for the Model of 1915 bolo bayonet is very elusive, even
more so then the bayonet. It appears to be canvas-covered wood wrapped
in raw hide much like the M1910 bayonet scabbard. The principal
differences are the metal tip as opposed to the leather on the M1910
scabbard and the lack of webbing hooks. The Model of 1915 scabbard has
a long canvas strap on the back that allows the scabbard to be worn on
any belt or web gear. This was done to allow the Scouts use of the
bayonet while they were still using cartridge belts designed in the
1800’s. The unfortunate part of all this which was relearned many
times is that jungle climate is not forgiving to this design. The
scabbards actually rotted away from use hence they are even scarcer
today then the bayonets.

So concludes our story of the bolo bayonets used by the United States forces in the Philippines. Some great ideas and thorough manufacturing methods were used to accomplish the tasks at hand, albeit in a non-practical direction. I often wonder what would have happened had the original Model of 1902 Bolo Bayonet been adopted and produced in
great numbers. Would it have changed the design of the bayonet forever
or could it have been equally resigned to the collectors market as
just another bayonet.

[VeeVee]

Thanks for the info Philip. Do you think a reproduction for this can be made in the Philippines to outfit Guy Hilbero's troop? The surplus can be sold abroad to finance the equipment requirements of the 26th memorial regiment.

[legionnaire]

I'm sure it can be made in the Philippines. Specially daggers and bolos. It's a just amatter of again having the correct accurate sample for them to copy the specs. then finding and supervising the correct craftsman to do get it correct. This is again the hardest challenge to supervise and make sure they do it right.

The folks we know back there do not have the transportation to make it happen.

Philip

[dimasalang]

WOW!!! That is freakin awesome! I always wanted to see clearer photos of this bayonet. I knew it fetch in the thousands also. Is the auction over? Thanks for sharing!

[26th]

Hey

Auction over about 3 years ago.

[dimasalang]

Sept 24, 2009 14:12:57 GMT -5 26th said:

Hey

Auction over about 3 years ago.

HAHA! Oh dam! Didn't know this thread was that old and never seen it before. Interesting some of the things that are hidden in this forum. Thanks for bringing this thread back to light. 3k for a bolo bayonet 3 years ago...im sure it is more now.

[VeeVee]

There was another one on ebay since this one was listed. It also sold for thousands.

[armyjunk]

Does anyone have any plans to make a repro of these bayonets and scabbards??
If you do please contact me at [e-mail]

[VeeVee]

I assume we need to have at least one original copy to make a decent reproduction. An original one costs thousands.... sigh.

[armyjunk]

Maybe not, maybe someone has the Quartermaster Blueprint drawing for one...

[armyjunk]

Anyone know anyone that can make one of these??

[VeeVee]

I think Col. Shawn Welch was going to have some made a few years ago. I don't know what came of it but he must have access to measurements or blueprints.

[red]

Dug one out of my parent's house back in 2001 i had it since then  was looking for similar one online if theres any record in the history.... glad i found the  post here i guess this is one of the 52 that was made... its kinda rusty on the surface but the oxidation hasnt gone through just needs polishing maybe... got buried for 100 years hehhehe i have a piece of history now... i wonder whats this one's story.. hmmmm....

[VeeVee]

Red, you one lucky... What area or town do your parents live? Just wondering because the 26th Cavalry Phil. Scouts used this type of bayonet and they were based in Fort Stotsenburg, Pampanga. Of course they fought all over the place. I wish your bolo could talk. It was most likely used by a Philippine Scout cavalryman!

[red]

My parents live in caloocan city , maypajo to be exact along silanganan street...dig with the bolo were coins of various denomination, it could be that they were station there like a stop over when they were moving...,,back then EDSA wasnt built yet...i was watching this Series LANDMARKS its about philippine history...and according to that historian during andres bonifacio and the katipunan the only way or road to get to north and south of luzon to the provinces was through that road which is now A. MABINI street historian mentioned from bulacan perhaps to tondo manila of today to cavite they have to travel through monumento of today to Sangandaan,, Pajo or Maypajo,.. to Tondo and so on..to Baclaran to Cavite...when i was in college i study at fatima university along now Mc Arthur Highway...the jeepney will travel from the same area alternate rout was LRT but its parallel to A. MABINI....so i know its true... could be that the philippine scout is taking the same road becoz its the only road back then.. here is a sample of the coins

[red]