RARE WWII MARINE-CARRIED 1918 ROCK ISLAND ARMORY (RIA) M1905 BAYONET W/SCABBARD

Description

RARE WWII MARINE-CARRIED 1918 ROCK ISLAND ARMORY (RIA) M1905 BAYONET W/SCABBARD.  The Rock Island Armory (RIA) manufactured the U. S. Model of 1905 bayonet with a 16" blade for the 1903 Springfield Rifle during 1918 and 1919, and those bayonets saw service in both WWI and WWII.  Not only were the M1905 RIA bayonets very well made, they were also serially numbered.  This particular RIA M1905 bayonet is serially numbered 407,719, and as shown by the photos it is in excellent condition.   What is rare about this particular bayonet is its provenance, or history.  It was carried by a young Marine, B. L.  Kontrim, from South Boston, Massachusetts, who served with the 4th Marine Division on Iwo Jima and then made a career of the Marine Corps, retiring as an E-8 sergeant.  You can see his name stamped on the body of the bayonet's M1910 Marine scabbard.  Although it is difficult to see in the photos, the bayonet's left ricasso is stamped "RIA/Flaming Bomb symbol/1918" and its right ricasso is stamped "U S/407719".  If you have any questions, please ask before buying, bidding, or making an offer.  Thanks.