Test post of high pictle photo...

[Fred]

Here are some great photos of a virtually uncirculated WWI 1903 to test how my high detailed downloading went. I've made the pixel count in the photos as high as possible with what I've got, so they ought to be really detailed.
The 03 was made in mid 1918 and the bayonet was made in 1909. When I got the bayonet, it was covered in gold paint. I washed the paint off with acetone and a soft tooth brush. Upon revealing the blade, I could see that it was originally bright. Somebody had painted it long ago for some reason. The formerly bright blade has a darkened color that could be cleaned off easily enough with blue remover I think. The metal of the blade is absolutely smooth like glass and is not pitted or worn in any way. It is untouched other than the darkened metal which is absolutely without any corrosion or rough spots. Could this bayonet be one of those that was blued by the Marines that Steve Norton told me about? Anyone have an idea? It's a really thin and kind of a see through darkening. I don't know if it was meant to be a dark finish or if the dark metal on the blade is a result of the gold paint that was covering it. The grips are of the older type that had the higher count of milling grooves in them. These have never been replaced with the later types and have remained in Mint condition too. The 1910 scabbard I bought some time ago and other than what looks like a pencil marking on it, it too is mint. I just thought that a mint 1903 and a mint bayonet and scabbard were worthy of some photos in highest detail. Lets see how they turned out!...

[Fred]

[John Beard]

Fred,

Do you still have that rifle? As I recall, you parted with a 1918 rifle not long ago.

J.B.

p.s.,

Super nice pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

Fred,

Do you still have that rifle? As I recall, you parted with a 1918 rifle not long ago.

J.B.

p.s.,

Super nice pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks JB. I'm glad that you like the photo's. No, this 1903 is not the same one that I sold. That one had a blonde stock. I still have this rifle. It's in a Lot better condition than the other one which in itself was a pretty nice one. I don't think that this rifle has really been handled a lot.

[PhillipM]

I thought all the bright bayonets were recalled to be darkened for WW1, not just USMC. I can't remember where I read that and it bothers me because usually when I recall something without documenting it, I'm wrong. In other words, I don't trust my memory.

[Fred]

Obviously from the many bright bayonets out in the collectors world, not all of the bayonets were recalled for refinishing. Many were darkened, but I don't know the percentage. Steve Norton said that the marines darkened a batch of the bright bayonets for themselves to be used by them. Springfield Armory might've been the ones to darken most of the others or it might've been done by a contractor. I don't know. However not all were darkened. I know of a fellow named Jim DeArmond who had one on the end of his Garand in Vietnam (yep, Garands AND bright bladed 1905 bayonets) which he ran an enemy combatant through from behind in the dark. Neat story in its detail.

[PhillipM]

That would be a good Vietnam story!

I am lucky to have found a 1906 dated 1905 that is still bright. I'm far, far from an expert on these but when i posted it on a Facebook group, one gentleman said it's times more likely to find a WWI dated bayonet than my bright 1905. I guess its rare because it was never darkened and because it wasn't shortened.

My favorite is a Greek CMP purchased one, an RIA 1909 cut down with a bowie, or beak point. Jim Bowie lived not far from me at one time, so I guess I'm sentimental to it for that. It's my favorite back scratcher.

[Fred]

Jim, who was a young man then, was down inside of a deep dug out hole or trench with his back to a dirt wall during a night attack by the enemy who had penetrated the American perimeter. With his back pressed against the dirt wall in the dark, Jim said that while there, he became aware that someone was standing at the edge of the hole directly above him when some dirt fell down from above and into his collar. A moment later, an enemy soldier jumped into the hole from above him and landed on his feet in front of jim with his back to Jim. Jim said that the soldier stood listening and I guess waiting for his eyes to adjust in the dark. Not being aware of Jim's presence, Jim said that the soldier stepped forward a bit which allowed Jim to bring the point of his bayonet to bare on the other fellows back and Jim said he thrust the 16" bright bayonet blade into and through him just as hard as he could.

[Major Tom]

RE: Jim's bayonet, now there's one to own. Hope he still has it.

[Fred]

Oh I imagine that the bayonet and the Garand are still there somewhere, along with all of the other assortment of stuff that GI's were able to get their hands on.

[Fred]

Ooops! I'd accidently posted a close up photo of the left side inspectors stamp from another 1903 that I have. Here is the left side of the wrist of the Minty rifle...

[Promo]

Hey Fred, you have quite small cows there in the first picture .. . But nice looking rifles!

[Fred]

LOL. Those two Collies are White Rough Collies. The Collie on the left is all white except for a trace of tan on one hip and a dark face. We have four Rough Collies now and are going to get at least one more and maybe two. A Blue Merle and a Dark Sable. The other two are a Blonde Sable and a Tri Color. They're really neat dogs to have around on our horse ranch.
How's your Rod Bayonet 1903 coming along Georg?