Reshaping M1 Bayonet Loop

[cogcon]

Bought a M1 bayonet at the HoCo Gun Show last month. Just got around to cleaning it and tried to put in on my M1903-A3...the open loop attachment is slightly misshapen at the top of the circle and won't fit over the barrel. The shape is only off slightly...I couldn't really tell until I looked at it very closely.

What would be the best method to round it back out?

 

[WeaponsCollector]

You might be able to use a vice carefully with wood so you don't scratch the metal.
Or you can also use fine sandpaper on the inside of the loop but this will harm the collector value, you can use instant bluing to darken the sandpapered area.

 

[ken792]

See if it will work on someone else's rifle, and then sell it to them. At least with my M1 Garands and their bayonets, the fit between the muzzle and the ring is looser compared to 03's I've seen.

 

[Threeband]

Unless the steel is pretty soft, I think you're likely to break it if you try squeezing it in a vice. Besides,you'd be more likely to make it worse, not better.

If it's just a little bit out, you night be able to open it with a round file. I've had to file a bit on a couple of socket bayonets.

 

[oldsarge]

Find a tool for reshaping rings and use it to carefully re-round the hole. That's what they are for.

 

[Nemesis]

Find a tool for reshaping rings and use it to carefully re-round the hole. That's what they are for.

This.