Weapon, Tool or Tent Peg ?

Atlantia · 11th September 2008, 05:13 PM

What are the markings, just 906? Its like a crude sleeve bayonet, but the blade is very well made. I wonder if it is a 'trench art' functional bayonet?

katana · 11th September 2008, 05:50 PM

Interesting...
I have seen a number of WW1 reworked bayonets fitted with a cartridge case hilt. After the return of the soldiers, food was a priority and 'every day' tools were more scarce (a lot of steel/iron was taken and used to manufacture guns, tanks etc).
Many started to 'grow their own' food ...a number of these bayonets were mounted onto short shafts (hence the percussion cap removal from the shell so that it could accomodate a 'stick') and used as gardening implements etc.
That could be the case here

.....reminds me of that expression about swords and ploughs ..and 'necessity is the mother of invention'

A great 'snap shot' of history.

Regards David

Robert · 11th September 2008, 06:53 PM

Thank you all for your interest and comments on this item. The copper sleeve seems much to heavy and thick walled to have been a shell casing, at least for any that I have seen. The only markings on this is just the # 906. The blade is very well made but not real sharp and I'm not sure it ever was. Again my thanks.

Robert

Atlantia · 11th September 2008, 09:17 PM

Is the 906 rubbed? could it have been 1906?

Robert · 11th September 2008, 09:27 PM

Hi Atlantia, It is possible that there could be a 1 under the copper sleeve but I would have to remove it to find out and I really don't want to risk damaging anything.

Robert

Atlantia · 11th September 2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Hi Atlantia, It is possible that there could be a 1 under the copper sleeve but I would have to remove it to find out and I really don't want to risk damaging anything.

Robert

well I was just wondering, if the 906 isn't a serial number, could it be a date? Bayonets arent really my bag, but I do like a mystery, and arent there several 1906 patern bayonets? If you look up the hollow tube with a torch, what's visible?

Robert · 12th September 2008, 12:14 AM

Looking down the tube all that can be seen is green copper oxidation, the rusted flat end of the round portion of the blade end and what appears to be the remnants of some kind of rosin or pitch.

Robert

11th September 2008, 05:13 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	What are the markings, just 906? Its like a crude sleeve bayonet, but the blade is very well made. I wonder if it is a 'trench art' functional bayonet?

11th September 2008, 05:50 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Interesting... I have seen a number of WW1 reworked bayonets fitted with a cartridge case hilt. After the return of the soldiers, food was a priority and 'every day' tools were more scarce (a lot of steel/iron was taken and used to manufacture guns, tanks etc). Many started to 'grow their own' food ...a number of these bayonets were mounted onto short shafts (hence the percussion cap removal from the shell so that it could accomodate a 'stick') and used as gardening implements etc. That could be the case here .....reminds me of that expression about swords and ploughs ..and 'necessity is the mother of invention' A great 'snap shot' of history. Regards David

11th September 2008, 06:53 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you all for your interest and comments on this item. The copper sleeve seems much to heavy and thick walled to have been a shell casing, at least for any that I have seen. The only markings on this is just the # 906. The blade is very well made but not real sharp and I'm not sure it ever was. Again my thanks. Robert

11th September 2008, 09:17 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Is the 906 rubbed? could it have been 1906?

11th September 2008, 09:27 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Atlantia, It is possible that there could be a 1 under the copper sleeve but I would have to remove it to find out and I really don't want to risk damaging anything. Robert

12th September 2008, 12:14 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Looking down the tube all that can be seen is green copper oxidation, the rusted flat end of the round portion of the blade end and what appears to be the remnants of some kind of rosin or pitch. Robert