Extremely rare, experimental bolo bayonet for the M1903 rifle. The M1909 bolo bayonet is illustrated and described on page 32 of American Military Bayonets of the 20th Century by Gary Cunningham. Springfield Armory manufactured a total of 102 M1909 bolo bayonets in fiscal years 1911 and 1913. The bayonet combines the 14 inch M1909 bolo blade with a modified M1892 Krag bayonet grip guard. The bayonet has krag-style walnut grips with two steel rivets ground flush with the grips. The top of the grips angle downward from the guard on the pommel. The lower half of the guard is drilled with a hole that attaches to a stud on the scabbard throat. The bright finished bolo blade is 2-1/4 inches wide and the edge is ground only on the obverse side. The obverse ricasso is stamped: "U.S." above the serial number "34". The reverse is stamped "SA" over the ordnance corps 'shell & flame' insignia and the date "1911". It is complete with a M1909 bolo scabbard. The russet leather scabbard has a blackened meral throat with a stud on the top and a meral loop and swivel for a tie down strap at the tip. The scabbard has a leather belt loop attached by two copper rivets. The back of the scabbard is marked "ROCK ISLAND/ ARSENAL/ 1911/ H.E.K." in four lines and stamped with "L.S." and "W.P." sub-inspector initials. The original tie-down thong is intact. The M1909 bolo bayonet was too light to be an effective tool and too heavy to be an effective bayonet. Very few examples exist in public or private collections and it is one of the rarest accessories for the M1903 rifle.

Very fine overall. The blade and grip are bright with some scattered age discoloration and some minor pitting on the reverse side near the tip of the blade. There are several nicks in the blade edge. The markings on the ricasso are crisp. The walnut grips have moderate wear. The scabbard is in fine condition. The leather body is a medium russet color, stitching is tight and the markings on the back of the body are crisp. Wear is limited to minor handling marks. The back of the scabbard throat has most of the blacked finish; the front has been cleaned and shows the plated finish. This is a fine example of a rare and unique experimental M1909 bolo bayonet. Examples of this bayonet are rarely offered for sale. Writer has seen only a few others!