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SOLDIER IDENTIFIED MODEL 1905 EARLY PRODUCTION
BAYONET DATED 1909 & MODEL 1910 SCABBARD AS ISSUED WITH
THE MODEL 1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLES – VERY SCARCE AEF
VETERAN IDENTIFIED – PVT. SAMUEL D. TYE, COMPANY C, 127TH
INFANTRY REGIMENT, 32ND DIVISION – A TRUE
WESTERN FRONT ARTIFACT:
As issued with the early
Model 1903 Springfield Rifles, this Model 1905 Bayonet
is dated 1909, is in excellent condition, and is
complete with the Model 1910 Scabbard.
Of particular interest, the front of the scabbard is
hand inscribed “SAM TYE CO. C 127 INF”. A native
Texan, Samuel David Tye was born September 20, 1894 and
he enlisted in Company C of the 127TH
Infantry Regiment from Crowell, Texas, a small
agricultural town at the base of the Texas Panhandle, 81
miles west of Wichita Falls.
The regiment was formed and trained in Waco, Texas, and
companies C and D departed that city on January 22,
1918, headed for France. The companies arrived in New
Jersey and embarked on the SS George Washington on
February 18, survived a successful torpedo attack from a
German U-boat during the trans-Atlantic crossing in
which the Washington was hit and damaged, and ultimately
arrived safely in Brest, France on March 7th.
Fortunately the war time service and combat record of
the Company C was detailed in a book - Co. C, 127TH
Infantry, in the World War, written by Captain Paul
W. Schmidt and published in 1919. I have seen a copy of
the original printing and it contains a detailed text
describing the company’s experiences, photographs, maps,
and most importantly a comprehensive list of the
officers and men who served in Company C during the war
which includes Private Tye, confirming his service in
the company during the war. I am in the process of
acquiring a reprint of this book and assuming I am
successful, it will accompany the sale of this bayonet
set.
Private Tye passed away on December 6, 1974 in Fort
Worth, Texas and is interred there at the Mount Olivet
Cemetery. It is worth noting that this bayonet and
scabbard set surfaced in the Dallas – Ft. Worth area, so
it was presumably acquired from the family’s estate.
This Model 1905 Bayonet is in excellent condition,
retaining its full form, and the original bright finish
to the blade and guard. The portion of the blade under
the grip panels and the ¼” strip above the guard on the
blade still retains the original blue finish, now turned
to plum. Showing only minor evidence of sharpening,
the edge is clean with no nicks. The ricasso is legibly
stamped “S A” over the Ordnance Flaming Bomb and the
date “1909”, indicating it was manufactured at the
Springfield Armory. The opposite side is legibly
stamped “US” above the serial number. The walnut grip
scales are in excellent condition with no chips or
cracks, and they have a nice, rich color.
It is generally accepted that the Model 1905 Bayonets
which were carried on the Western Front during the Great
War were these bright blades. Given the exposure of
these blades to the conditions on the front, and then
the number of these early blades which were eventually
parkerized after the war, it is remarkable that one of
these early blades has survived in this excellent
condition.
The Model 1910 Scabbard features a completely intact and
clean canvas cover, with the 1910 wire hanger intact.
Bearing the inscription as described above, and in
consideration of this scabbard’s obvious issue and use,
the front side is remarkably clean and free of wear
points. The reverse side shows some very minor wear and
soiling. The scabbard’s leather tip covering is complete
with no missing leather, the stitching along the seam is
fully intact, and is stamped on the reverse “BRAUER &
BROS.” and “1918”. The leather has an overall smooth
shiny surface with only some minor scuffing limited to
the reverse side, and the brass drain grommet is still
intact.
This is a particularly nice set with the very desirable
added value of being identified to a verified American
Expeditionary Force veteran. This will be a very
special addition to your World War One collection and to
display with your Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and the
related accoutrements.
SOLD
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