Weapon, Tool or Tent Peg ?

Robert · 11th September 2008, 04:52 PM

Picked this up recently and really have no idea of what it is. Looks like it could be a dagger, a spear tip or some kind of tool. Possibly a reworked bayonet / trench art? It has the #906 stamped into the round portion of the blade and a heavy hollow copper grip or ferrel. Any and all help in identifying what it is and where it might be from will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Robert

Total length 13-1/2"
Blade length including round section 9-5/8"
Blade at widest 13/16"
Blade at thickest 1/4"
Grip Length 3-7/8"

josh stout · 11th September 2008, 05:33 PM

Could the grip be a reworked shell casing?
Josh

Atlantia · 11th September 2008, 06:13 PM

What are the markings, just 906? Its like a crude sleeve bayonet, but the blade is very well made. I wonder if it is a 'trench art' functional bayonet?

katana · 11th September 2008, 06:50 PM

Interesting...
I have seen a number of WW1 reworked bayonets fitted with a cartridge case hilt. After the return of the soldiers, food was a priority and 'every day' tools were more scarce (a lot of steel/iron was taken and used to manufacture guns, tanks etc).
Many started to 'grow their own' food ...a number of these bayonets were mounted onto short shafts (hence the percussion cap removal from the shell so that it could accomodate a 'stick') and used as gardening implements etc.
That could be the case here

.....reminds me of that expression about swords and ploughs ..and 'necessity is the mother of invention'

A great 'snap shot' of history.

Regards David

Robert · 11th September 2008, 07:53 PM

Thank you all for your interest and comments on this item. The copper sleeve seems much to heavy and thick walled to have been a shell casing, at least for any that I have seen. The only markings on this is just the # 906. The blade is very well made but not real sharp and I'm not sure it ever was. Again my thanks.

Robert

Atlantia · 11th September 2008, 10:17 PM

Is the 906 rubbed? could it have been 1906?

11th September 2008, 04:52 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Weapon, Tool or Tent Peg ? Picked this up recently and really have no idea of what it is. Looks like it could be a dagger, a spear tip or some kind of tool. Possibly a reworked bayonet / trench art? It has the #906 stamped into the round portion of the blade and a heavy hollow copper grip or ferrel. Any and all help in identifying what it is and where it might be from will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Robert Total length 13-1/2" Blade length including round section 9-5/8" Blade at widest 13/16" Blade at thickest 1/4" Grip Length 3-7/8" Attached Images

11th September 2008, 05:33 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Could the grip be a reworked shell casing? Josh

11th September 2008, 06:13 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	What are the markings, just 906? Its like a crude sleeve bayonet, but the blade is very well made. I wonder if it is a 'trench art' functional bayonet?

11th September 2008, 06:50 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Interesting... I have seen a number of WW1 reworked bayonets fitted with a cartridge case hilt. After the return of the soldiers, food was a priority and 'every day' tools were more scarce (a lot of steel/iron was taken and used to manufacture guns, tanks etc). Many started to 'grow their own' food ...a number of these bayonets were mounted onto short shafts (hence the percussion cap removal from the shell so that it could accomodate a 'stick') and used as gardening implements etc. That could be the case here .....reminds me of that expression about swords and ploughs ..and 'necessity is the mother of invention' A great 'snap shot' of history. Regards David

11th September 2008, 07:53 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you all for your interest and comments on this item. The copper sleeve seems much to heavy and thick walled to have been a shell casing, at least for any that I have seen. The only markings on this is just the # 906. The blade is very well made but not real sharp and I'm not sure it ever was. Again my thanks. Robert

11th September 2008, 10:17 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Is the 906 rubbed? could it have been 1906?