US Navy WW2 Mk.1 Training Bayonet
‘Blade’ of hard black Bakelite plastic over steel core, black plastic hilt, ribbed black plastic grips over steel core with scabbard/rifle locking button. Green plastic scabbard with steel throat piece and wire webbing attachment.
Stamped on the exposed metal of the ricasso on the left side Is ‘U.S.N. MARK 1’, and on the other with the maker’s mark ’PBC’ (Parris-Dunn Corporation) and ‘NXSO-29524’. Throat of the scabbard is also stamped with ‘USN MK 1’
These bayonets were designed for use with the U.S. Navy Mark 1 Dummy Training Rifle, which was produced during the Second World War by the Parris-Dunn Corporation of Clarinda, Iowa to replicate the US Model 1903 Springfield rifle which was carried on many US Navy vessels. 300,000 were manufactured for the Navy in 1942 and 43, and thereafter a further 200,000 of a civilian model for drill corps, schools and ROTC programs. The Navy sold off its stocks as surplus in 1945. The brittle plastic used on these bayonets did not mix well with the rigours of training, and examples with no damage at all are very rare.
Most of the muzzle ring has been lost. Dark patina to most of the steel components, some rust to the steel fasteners. Blade is very good and undamaged.
