This example was made by the W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. of Bradford, PA.

It is believed that these modifications were done on Okinawa in the late 1940's or early 1950's, and the bayonets saw use in the Korean War.

The scabbard is an early M8A1, made in 1953. M8A1 scabbards made prior to 1955 did not have the metal tip.

These were once thought to have been undocumented experimental pieces. However, in his book, Collecting Bayonets, Jim Maddox confirms that these were a mid-1960s commercial product of a surplus dealer near Warner Robbins, GA.

Although not an official variation, the aluminum grips are an interesting curiosity.

Pommel: "Sp" and "43B"

Scabbard: "U.S. M8A1" over "PWH"

This example was made by the Bren-Dan Manufacturing Co., Stamford, CT.

According to noted U.S. bayonet authority Gary Cunningham, it is possible that Bren-Dan Co. is somehow related to Conetta Manufacturing Co. Both firms are of Stamford Connecticut. Like the Conetta bayonets,  Bren-Dan M4 bayonets are somewhat of a mystery. No government records have been discovered to identify when these bayonets were made or how many may have been produced.

This scabbard was assembled at the Pennsylvania Working Home for Blind Men, in Philadelphia, PA. The Pennsylvania Working Home for Blind Men operated from 1874-1979. A large quantity of scabbards were assembled there during the Vietnam War years.

The Working Home was a sheltered workshop that provided employment for the blind. Sheltered schools, workshops, and living arrangements were common until social policy was changed to integrate the disabled more fully into society.

The M5 was introduced in 1953 to replace the M1 and M1905E1 bayonets used with the M-1 rifle. The M5 mated the blade of the M4 bayonet with a hilt incorporating a novel attachment system. In place of a muzzle ring, the crosspiece had a steel stud that inserted into the M-1 rifle's gas cylinder lock screw.

This example was made by the Imperial Knife Co. of Providence, Rhode Island.

Carrier measures 10.50 in. (267 mm.) long x 7.375 in. (187 mm.) wide.

This example was made in 1967 and is shown here with the US M6 bayonet.

The M6 was very similar to the M5, but used a conventional muzzle ring.

This example was made in 1964 by the Columbus Milpar and Manufacturing Co., Columbus, OH.  According to noted U.S. bayonet authority Gary Cunningham, Milpar delivered 182,000 M-6 bayonets to the U.S. Government in 1964.

Made in 1968, most likely by the Imperial Knife Co., Providence, RI. I observed photos of an identically packaged piece, with the identical package labeling, except it was dated 9/68, instead of 10/68. The package had been opened, revealing that the bayonet inside was made by Imperial.

This example was made in 1970 by the Camillus Cutlery Company, Camillus, NY.

Overall length shown at right is of the folded knife and does not include the lanyard loop.  Overall length with knife blade extended is 6.50 in. (165 mm.).

Macrame tassel attached to lanyard loop was a later addition. Macrame was very popular in the USA from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s.

The Daisy Sport Trainer rifles were made 1966-69 by the Daisy Manufacturing Co. The bayonet was closely patterned after the bayonets used on similar trainer rifles made in the 1950s by the Parris Manufacturing Co. Although not documented, the bayonets and mounting system are so similar, it seems likely that they were made by the same unknown contractor that had produced the Parris bayonets.

No scabbard was produced.

The first of Colt's M7 bayonets were made 1961-1962 by Universal Industries of West Haven, CT. They had a green plastic grip that resembled the leather M4 bayonet grip of World War II. Since the M-1 Carbine was still in use, it made more sense that the M7 bayonet use the same black plastic grip parts already adopted for the post-war M4 bayonet.

Colt designated the redesigned bayonet as the "New Model" M7 and assigned it part number 62316 in the Colt inventory. This part number appears on the bayonets commercially made for Colt. The US Government adopted the "New Model" M7 as the Bayonet-Knife M7, in 1964. More than 4 million M7 bayonets were produced during its more than 30-year service life.

This is one of the Colt "New Model" M7 bayonets. According to Colt, 30,000 were made by the Imperial Knife Co.of Providence, Rhode Island in 1963-1964, prior to the US Government issuing its first M7 bayonet contract in May 1964. Carl Eickhorn, in West Germany, also produced private-label M7 bayonets for Colt.

The olive green scabbard body for the Imperial-made Colt bayonet is unique. Unlike other M8A1 scabbards, this scabbard body has a rough crinkle-finish and no metal tip protector.

Crosspiece: "U.S. M7"

Scabbard: "U.S. M8A1"

The Bayonet-Knife Scabbard M10 was developed in 1987, as the supply of M8A1 scabbards began to run out. The M10 scabbard is made of injection-molded plastic, with an integral nylon web belt hanger.

Made in 1989, most likely by the General Cutlery Corporation of Fremont, Ohio. An example observed outside of the factory wrapper was made by General Cutlery. Records at Rock Island Arsenal indicate that General Cutlery delivered 24,400 M-7 bayonets during 1989.

Adopted in 1986 as the Multipurpose Bayonet System M9, it remains the current-issue US Army bayonet. The M9 is a far more sophisticated bayonet design than the M7 it replaced. The M9's construction is massive in comparison to the M4-M7 series bayonets.

Manufacturing and design changes were introduced throughout it's production, resulting in a bewildering number of variations.

This example is of the later or "product improved" variant, made in 1999 by Lan-Cay International of Carrollton, Kentucky. Other military contractors include Phrobis III Ltd. and Ontario Knife Co. Commercial versions were produced by Buck and copies were made by many foreign firms.

The belt hanger was developed by Bianchi and is attached/detached via a Fastex connector.

Scabbard (body): "Lan-Cay"

Adopted in 2002 as the OKC-3S Multipurpose Bayonet/Knife System, it remains the current-issue U.S. Marine Corps bayonet. Designed and manufactured by the Ontario Knife Co. of Franklinville, New York. Production began in 2003.

The OKC-3S has a longer, heavier, more pointed blade than the Army's M9 bayonet. The blade is designed to penetrate body armor, which is increasingly encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan. The blade profile is reminiscent of the U.S.M.C.'s beloved KA-BAR knife. Both the true edge and long false edge are very sharp. The true edge has seep serrations near the ricasso, for cutting rope and heavy materials.

The scabbard has a ceramic honing rod on the reverse. The integral web frog measures 14.00 in. (356 mm.) x 1.375 in. (35 mm.). It is designed for use with the MOLLE/PALS load-bearing systems used by the USA and many NATO countries. MOLLE = Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. PALS = Pouch Attachment Ladder System.

Ricasso (right): "OKC 3S" over "Ontario" over "Knife Co."

Grip (left): Eagle, Globe, & Anchor logo

Grip (right): "USMC"

The bayonet is part of the Archangel Manufacturing LLC, 5.56 mm. Advanced Rimfire System kit that alters the rifle into a tactical configuration. The bayonet is intended for display only, however is made of high-strength polymer and has a surprisingly sharp edge and point. Definitely not a child's toy.