M1892 Bayonet
| M1892 Bayonet | |
|---|---|
 US M1892 Bayonet produced in 1895 by the Springfield Armory. Note the flush finished handle rivets and the fully finished walnut handle scales. | |
| Type | Bayonet |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1894-1903 |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | US Military Board of Ordinance and Fortification |
| Designed | 1892 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | 1894-1903 |
| No. built |
|
| Variants |
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| Specifications | |
| Length |
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| Blade type | Spear point |
History
The US M1892 Bayonet was first created to be used in conjunction with the newly introduced Springfield Model 1892–99 Krag–Jørgensen rifle.[1]
Modeled after the Swiss Model 1889 Bayonet, it was the first standardized production knife-type bayonet (replacing triangular spike and ramrod bayonets) adopted by the U.S. Military. Production began in 1894 at the Springfield Armory, and continued until 1903.[1]
With the coming of the M1903 Springfield rifle in 1903, came new bayonet requirements. Because the new M1903 Springfield rifle was shorter than its Springfield Model 1892–99 Krag–Jørgensen predecessor, a longer bayonet was desired to achieve the same overall rifle/bayonet combined length, thus the longer M1905 Bayonet.
Materials and Specifications
The M1892 was produced from heat-treated carbon steel with walnut grips. It was originally manufactured with a bluing (steel) finish in 1894 and 1895. From 1896 to 1903, the M1892 was produced with a bright metal finish in place of the bluing. This change was made for two reasons. First the bluing process degraded the blade's heat treatment, and thus the strength of the bayonet. Second, regular use quickly degraded the aesthetics of the blued bayonet as they were easily scratched. [2]
Early production units were finely finished instruments. The bayonet's wooden grip scales were carefully finished and their retention rivets flush fitted. With the coming of the Spanish–American War, the production process was modified in 1899 to facilitate greater production. The walnut wood grips were no longer finely finished -- production milling marks were readily apparent in the finished bayonets, and the domed retention rivets were hammer-peened into place with no additional finishing.
Model Variants
In addition to the baseline M1892 model, there were three other principal variants of this bayonet. [3] The M1895 Cadet Bayonet, the M1898 Cadet Bayonet, the M1900 Bowie Bayonet and the M1902 Bolo Bayonet.[2]
M1895 Cadet Bayonet
The shorter Krag Cadet Bayonet was an item of uniform dress for the students of the United States Military Academy. The USMA would use variants of the Krag bayonet until 1963, but the original short model was retired early, and existing stocks of standard Krag bayonets made surplus by the introduction of the 1903 Springfield used instead. Only 400 1895 short bayonets were produced. Measuring 13 inches in overall length, this bayonet is fitted with an 8 5/8 blade, marked "1895" on the right side and "US" on the left. The broad single fullers run just short of 6 inches, and are properly stopped on each end; a traditional Krag bayonet cut to this length would have the fullers running off one end or the other. The hilt is polished bright, with a set of smooth grips. Three out of the 5 scabbard models are included. These three scabbards are the early 2nd 1897, 3rd late 1897, and rare 5th 1901 models, are properly sized for the bayonet and are blued. One is fitted with a simple cartridge belt hook, the second with a wire cartridge belt loop and a detachable leather belt loop marked "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1907/F.P.B.", and the third has a leather belt loop brass riveted directly to the swivel; the first and third show a swivel arrangement particular to the Cadet, with a transverse pin running through the arm of the swivel, as opposed to the fixed hinge shoulders seen on the second scabbard and most standard Krags. For information related to the Krag Cadet Bayonet and its scabbards see pages 115-167 of "The U.S. Krag Bayonets" by Donald J. Hartman.
March 28, 1896 - Krag introduced to West Point Cadets. Approx 3" shorter, 3 oz less.
Used until 1963.
M1898 Cadet Bayonet
The M1898 Cadet Bayonet was a shorter chrome plated version of the M1895 Cadet Bayonet. Chroming began in June of 1930.
Produced in two batches. 1895 and 1900.
In 1903, the 03 Springfield rifle was issued to cadets with a ramrod bayonet and later a M1903 knife bayonet. The M1898 bayonet was reintroduced to the academy in 1910 because the standard issue M1905 bayonet hung down too far for shorter cadets. The metal scabbard of the M1898 also much more suited the cadet's uniform than the leather scabbard of the M1905 bayonet.
M1900 Bowie Bayonet
Meant to be a combination knife bayonet and entrenchment tool. Produced (and dated) for trial in 1900, as a replacement for the standard bayonet which could pull double duty as a brush knife. Measuring 13 1/2 inches overall, the 9 inch blade has a deep back clip and a 2 1/2 inch sharpened edge on the spine, with "US" on the right ricasso and "1900" on the left. All of the metal is bright, with a pair of smooth wood scales completing the grip. With a full metal sheath, which features the distinct ball tip and 100 degree belt swivel.
Following the Spanish-American War of 1898
Designed by the Board of Ordinance and Fortification in late 1899. 2K-4K were produced in 1899 and 1900. All received the M1900 designation. Interested in developing an entrenchment tool that could be carried by individual soldiers. All are dated 1900.
The Board of Ordinance and Fortification chose not to more widely use the M1900 in 1902. It failed as an entrenchment tool.
M1902 Bolo Bayonet
M1892 series bayonets would not fit the Springfield m1903 with integral rod bayonet.[2]
Heavy (1 pound, 5 oz) made it a good entrenchment tool, but muzzle-heavy bayonet. The M1915 bolo bayonet was originally the brainchild of US Army Captain Hugh D. Wise, Quartermaster with the 9th Infantry in the Philippines. He welded the blade of a native bolo knife to the hilt/handle of a M1892 Bayonet. More heft, better entrenchment tool. Easier to withdraw from a victim. It suffered from steel that was difficult to re-sharpen and could not hold an edge.
Developed in the early 20th century, the 1902 Bolo Bayonet was one of the U.S. Army's attempts at a hybrid edged weapon that could reduce the loadout an individual soldier had to carry into the field. Intended for use in jungle environments, the bolo could serve as both a bayonet and a brush clearing tool. Like many such weapons, the 1902 was made in very limited quantities for trial use, with the Philippines in particular the planned test field (though no proper records of the testing survive). Overall production is believed limited to 50 in 1902 and 6 in 1903. 14 3/4 inches overall, with a 10 1/4 inch blade dated "1903" on the left ricasso and marked "US" on the right. Standard Krag style bayonet hilt. With a blued steel sheath with a ball tip and 100 degree swiveling steel belt loop.
Springfield produced 50 in 1902 and another 6 in 1906 Developed in the early 20th century, the 1902 Bolo Bayonet was one of the U.S. Army's attempts at a hybrid weapon that could reduce the loadout an individual soldier had to carry into the field. Intended for use in jungle environments, the bolo could serve as both a bayonet and a brush clearing tool. This was designed to take the place of the Bowie Bayonet, which had been an earlier attempt to solve the same problem but "proved ineffective for utilitarian tool functions undoubtedly required of it" per A. N. Hardin on page 216 of his book "The American Bayonet: 1776-1964". Like many such weapons, the 1902 was made in very limited quantities for trial use, with the Philippines in particular the planned test field (though no proper records of the testing survive). Overall production is limited to 50 in 1902 and six in 1903. 14 3/4 inches overall, with a 10 1/4 inch blade dated "1903" on the left ricasso (making this bayonet one of the even rarer variations) and marked "US" on the right. Standard Krag style bayonet hilt. With a blued steel sheath with a ball tip and 100 degree swiveling steel belt loop.
The M1903 later served as inspiration for the M1915 Bolo Bayonet of which 6,002 units were produced in 1916. [4]
Scabbards
There are four distinct standard scabbards that were issued in sequence over the 10 years that the M-1892 bayonet was produced. The most distinguishing characteristic is the swivel hanger that fit onto the cartridge belt. The first two were of the metal loop variety, the first having a full 360 degree rotation and the second being limited in rotation by a stop. The third and fourth variants had wire closures that were hinged. The third had a narrow gap fitting between cartridge loops on the belt, and the fourth variant had a wide gap that fit around a single cartridge loop.
6 different variations for the standard models. One change to make it easier to re-holster the bayonet. One change to reduce scabbard wear/belt wear. The last change was made so that it would fit both the Krag and the M1903 cartridge belt.
See Also
- M1905 Bayonet
- M1917 Bayonet
- M3 Fighting Knife
- M5 Bayonet
- M6 Bayonet
- M7 Bayonet
- M9 Bayonet
Further Reading
Brayley, Martin (2004). Bayonets - An Illustrated History (1st ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. pp. 146-148. ISBN 9780873498708 Search this book on 
..
Cole, M.H. (2003). The Best of Us Military Knives: Bayonets & Machetes (1st ed.). CJA Publications. p 28. ISBN 9780972312608 Search this book on ..
Hartman, Donald J. (2009). The U.S. Krag Bayonets: History, Variations, Modifications (1st ed.). Springfield, NJ: D&D Blade Research. pp. 115-167. ISBN 9780982302101 Search this book on ..
Kiesling, Paul (2011). Bayonets of the World: The Complete Edition (1st ed.). Netherlands: S.I. Publicaties BV. pp. 98-107. ISBN 9789070987053 Search this book on ..
Reilly, Robert M. (1990). American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards: A Comprehensive Illustrated History of Socket Bayonets, Scabbards and Frogs in America from the Colonial Through to the Post-Civil War Period. (1st ed.). Woonsocket, RI: Andrew Mowbray Publishers. pp 12-13. ISBN 9781500833169 Search this book on ..
References
This article "M1892 Bayonet" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:M1892 Bayonet. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hartman, Donald J. (2009). The U.S. Krag Bayonets: History, Variations, Modifications (1st ed.). Springfield, NJ: D&D Blade Research. p. 12-18. ISBN 978-0-98230-210-1. Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The U.S. Krag Bayonets: History, Variations, Modifications". Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ↑ "Bowie Knife Bayonet and Bolo Bayonet for the US Krag". Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ↑ "US M1915 Bolo Bayonet - Dual Purpose Gear That Worked!". Retrieved 2021-01-25.
