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M-1909 Bolo Knive Basic Information |
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The M-1909 Bolo Knife was designed to aid US soldiers deal with the jungle foliage that they had previously found themselves in with incursions into Cuba and the Philippines, where natives used similar sized machetes. (Earlier attempts at creating cutting tools with bolo bayonets designed for the Krag rifle were seen as failures.) The M-1909 Bolo Knife was designed to be carried as a belt knife from its first production at the Springfield Armory in 1909 to its final production in 1915. A total of 17,540 were produced at the Springfield Armory. Beginning in 1917, Plumb and Collins each produced a variant of the M-1909, designated as M-1917 Bolo Knife. Variant: The M-1909 Bolo Bayonet was produced at the Springfield Armory in 1911 and 1913. In spite of varying production estimates, it is fairly rare. Even though many have been observed, fakes are possible, and acquiring one warrants caution. |
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M-1909 Basic Data |
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| Blade Length: 13.94 inches | Overall Length: 19.52 inches | ||
| Blade Width: 2.31 inches | Blade Thickness: 0.3125 inches | ||
| Scabbards: Original M-1909 Scabbards were made in three variants by the Rock Island Arsenal and appropriately marked. All have leather belt loops and metal throats with a placement pin. M-1917 Bolo Scabbards were made by Ladew. | |||
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Reverse of SN 63 |
Obverse of SN 63 |
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Earliest known M-1909 to date |
Obverse of SN 63 |
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M-1909 scabard, late variant |
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