I have a 1942-dated Utica Cutlery M1905 "long" bayonet. I noted that bayonets were starting to dry up, too, and grabbed the first decent one that came by.
As far as the ladder-type rear sights went, every rifle designer in the world thought the tinier the notch, and tinier the front sight, the more accuracy you'd get.
That was fine for slow fire on a rifle range with good lighting, a contrasty target, and plenty of time. The sights had elevation markings out to 2000 yards, but that was for volley fire, where all you did was lay down fire and hoped that somebody walked into it.
These types of sights also had a close-range aperture, but everything was still too fine, and required trying to focus on target, front sight, and rear sight at the same time.
Someone finally realized that an aperture rear sight, and substantial front sight, gave much faster target acquisition at reasonable ranges. The brain needs to be only vaguely aware that it has the front sight placed in the middle of the fuzzy rear aperture. Then all that needs to be done is place the target on top of the front sight post.
This was realized with the M1917 Enfield, but was not adapted by the Brits until the later WW2 marks of the SMLE. The US put them on the Garand, M1 carbine, and the 1903A3 Springfield. Receiver or tang sights, common for a century on target guns, became "militarized", and improved combat rifles by taking some of the work away from the shooter's eyeball and brain.
Very nice bayonet for the rifle. I don’t recall seeing a ‘peep’ or aperture sight on any military rifle until the P-14/17 came along. I know my scores went up when I shot the US Enfield; I liked that rifle a lot. But like many of them, went away to fund other purchases. I’m glad to see you held onto yours.
That would explain the tiny sights! I zeroed in two of our ARs today because I have to teach my wife to “effectively” use hers later this week. I’ve been spoiled with electronic sights, and scopes, and had to just use the peep sights today. But I still scorched my 13 yr old who helps me but has much better eyesight and has come close to outshooting me lately! ;-)