The US did adopt a rod bayonet for the late Springfield trapdoor rifle but did use a knife bayonet for the krag rifle. The early 1903 had a rod bayonet until president Teddy Roosevelt saw it and had it changed to a knife or as some use to call it, a sword bayonet. This rod bayonet is in exc condition too 
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I never understood the reasoning for using a rod bayonet aside from having one less thing to carry. It seems too weak to do serious damage and would bend too easily so it could not be reinserted back into the rifle. -
because it is cheap ! look at all the Lee Enfield No 4 spike bayonets and French MAS 36 rifle spike bayonets.
Interesting fact is that these excellent condition Model 1903 rod bayonets now sell for around $200Comment
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