Scarce M1898 Bowie Knife Bayonet for the Krag Rifle. The Springfield Armory manufactured a limited number of so-called bowie style knife bayonets for trial in 1900 in an effort to provide troops in the tropics with a combination weapon and utility knife for cutting and chopping brush. The bayonet features a 9 3/32-inch Bowie pointed blade. The hilt and grip are identical to the Model 1892-98 Krag knife bayonet. All of the metal parts are polished bright and the walnut grips have a scaled finish. The right side of the blade is stamped "US" below the cross guard and the opposite side is dated "1900". The steel scabbard has a blue finish and has the same basic form as the blade with a ball tip and the same pattern belt hook as the standard rifle bayonet scabbard. The M1898 Bowie Bayonet was an elegant bayonet that proved too delicate to be a useful tool and was less effective weapon than the standard knife bayonet.

Very good. The bright-finished blade, cross guard and pommel have been carefully cleaned. There is scattered pitting on the blade and moderate pitting on the cross guard. The edge of the blade is free from nicks. Markings are clear. The grips have been re-finished but remain in very good condition. The scabbard is in fine condition. About 95% of the blue finish is intact. There is a shallow dent in the back of the scabbard and some small spots of scattered surface rust on the scabbard body. This is a very good example of a scarce and unique U.S. Army bayonet.