1910 hospital corps bolo knife

Description

well used has some discoloration on the leather. a few nicks in the handle other wise in great shape.
SA 1910 M1904 Hospital Corps Knife Corpsmen Bolo made by Springfield Arsenal. Used by American forces during WW1, original 1912 RIA leather-and-brass scabbard. Excellent overall condition, considering the age – rare this nice.
Excellent quality American
Model 1904 Hospital Corps Knife
manufactured in 1910 at the
SPRINGFIELD ARSENAL
in Massachusetts. M1904 was originally designed as a large, but “non-weaponized” knife to aid the Corpsmen with the difficult tasks of setting up a field hospital, clearing foliage, sharpening stakes, etc. – thus the rounded “non-threatening” blade. A scarce type – only about
40,000 serial-numbered M1904s were made in total
.
The overall length is about 17-1/4” / 43.8 cm; blade’s length is about 12” / 30.5 cm, about 2-1/4” / 6.5 cm wide, 7/16” / 10 mm thick at ricasso. Bright finish blade is in excellent condition overall; the edge is very sharp still; the rounded tip is intact. No typical dings or bumps on the spine or the handle’s pommel; a couple of tiny edge nicks are noted for accuracy, nothing major. Ricasso is sharply stamped
SA “flaming bomb”
/
1910
on one side and with the serial number
US / 15676
on the other. American walnut handle with contoured finger grooves; an extra-thick bronze “S” handguard, brass butt cup, and pins. The handle is tight; all parts are solid with no play. No cracks, big dings or chips on the wood  – VERY rare this nice.
Original 1912-dated scabbard made by the famous
Rock Island Arsenal (RIA)
is included. The scabbard is stamped with  inspectors’ initials
C.H.T.
and
W
under the throat, as well as
ROCK ISLAND / ARSENAL / 1912 /
H.E.K.
near the tip.  This scabbard has the “Krag-style” blued steel swivel belt hanger; the hanger is in excellent condition; it is tight with no play. White-tinted brass throat is excellent; some age-appropriate green oxidation on contact with the leather is noted for accuracy (cleanable). Dark-brown leather is in excellent shape (considering it is well over 100 years old) with just a few typical minor scoff marks. This type is VERY rare this nice and complete as most of these scabbards are in terrible condition due to the exposure to the elements in the field or improper storage after the war. After 100 plus years this authentic WW1 era American SA 1910 M1904 Hospital Corps Knife Corpsmen Bolo and original RIA scabbard are 100% functional and fully serviceable condition still – don’t miss your chance to add it to your collection!
All original pre-WW1 SA 1910 M1904 Hospital Corps Knife specimens in good condition are rare these days – most of these Hospital Corps Bolos were used as intended during WW1, relatively few survived in good condition. This particular SA 1910 M1904 Hospital Corps Knife Corpsmen Bolo is in much better than average condition, considering the age.  This rare pre-WW1 manufacture Bolo knife has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, 100% original condition; these are the actual photos.