M1917 - General Cutlery, Vietnam Era

Sword bayonet for use on the .30–06 caliber U.S. Rifle Model of 1917. The M1917 rifle was nearly identical to the British Pattern 1913 rifle, so was often referred to as the Enfield. This bayonet was also used with U.S. Army combat shotguns (trench guns), serving into the 1980s. The M1917 bayonet was issued alongside M1200 shotguns for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In 2004, after 85 years of service the M1917 bayonet was finally withdrawn.

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This particular example was Manufactured by General Cutlery of Freemont Ohio, sometime during the Vietnam War. They were undated. Compared to the WW1 produced M1917's these ones were very crude in their construction. The crosspiece was secured to the tang by use of rivets, instead of brazing, the grips were made from bakelite plastic, not timber, the blade had a very rough finish and was heavily parkerized.

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This example is in great shape. Blade retains all of its parkerizing, no nicks or chips and is factory sharpened only. There are some minor imperfections at the tip of the fuller, these imperfections are quite common on these bayonets.

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Crossguard secured with 2 rivets and is in excellent condition. GEN CUT and US M1917 is stamped underneath.

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Grips are in excellent condition, secured with 2 screws. Press stud works smoothly,  pommel retains all of its factory finish.

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Scabbard is excellent, made from a fibreglass resin type plastic. Locket stamped U.S. - M1917 B.A INC, manufactured by Beckwith Manufacturing Co.

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A very nice example of a scarce Vietnam era M1917