As first fielded, the M–1 Carbine did not accept a bayonet. Beginning in June 1944, the front band included a bayonet lug. Most M–1 carbines were subsequently retrofitted with the bayonet-lug front band (as shown in the last picture at left).

The leather-grip identifies this as being from the first production run of 1944–1945. Wartime M4 producers included:

—Aerial Cutlery Manufacturing Co.
—Camillus Cutlery Co.
—W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
—Imperial Knife Co.
—Kinfolks Inc.
—Pal Blade and Tool Co.
—Utica Cutlery Co.

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

This example is as-issued and in exceptional condition, with the starburst staking on the pommel, smooth parkerizing on the blade, and factory sharpening done after the blade was parkerized. 

According to noted U.S. bayonet authority Gary Cunningham, the pommel was made by subcontractor, Standard Products Co. of Port Clinton, Ohio. The number identifies the heat-treatment lot.  Standard Products Co. also produced M–1 Carbines during the Second World War.

The scabbard is an early production M8, without the metal tip. It was made by the Beckwith Manufacturing Co. of Dover, NH, as a M8 scabbard for the U.S Knife M3.  It was subsequently converted to an M8A1 by addition of the wire belt hanger.

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

The scabbard is the earliest M8 scabbard variant, used primarily with the U.S. Knife M3. Designed and produced by the Beckwith Manufacturing Co.,  this variant has the short web loop and no wire belt hanger.

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. This is one of the few dated M8 scabbards that I have seen.

—Turner Manufacturing Co.
—Imperial Knife Co.
—Conetta Manufacturing Co,
—Bren-Dan Manufacturing Co.

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

This scabbard is the common M8A1 type, with the metal tip protector. This example 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 U.S. social policy was changed to integrate the disabled more fully into society.

These were once thought to have been another experimental type. 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. I have also seen an M5 bayonet with a similar cast aluminum grip.

The origin of these bayonets is a mystery. They came to the USA in 2010–11 when Greece returned its stock of loaned M–1 Carbines to the US Government.

Although patterned after the US M4 bayonet-knife, there are distinct differences and the workmanship is poor. The blade is copper-plated, then finished in a black coating of some sort. Traces of copper show through where the black finish has worn away. The leather grip has much greater taper than other leather-gripped M4 variants. The crosspiece is patterned after the wartime M4 production, however, the muzzle ring is slightly off-center.

The identity of the maker represented by the "EME" trademark and the date of production are unknown. There is an Italian cutlery maker, EME–Posaterie. I corresponded with them and they indicate that they were not the maker of these bayonets. Hopefully, further research will reveal these maker's identity.

The scabbard is also a South Korean copy of the US M8A1 scabbard.

The Netherlands M4 bayonet is patterned after its US cousin, but is a distinctly different design. The most obvious difference are the red phenolic grip scales, patterned after the US leather grip. The crosspiece is much heavier, requiring a stepped muzzle ring due to the extra thickness. The pommel is secured with solid pins, where the US bayonet uses rolled pins. Examples are found with grip scales secured by rivets or (like this example) with screw bolts.

These were made by the German firm, E. & F. Hörster, in 1951–52.

This example has the Hörster commercial trademark on the crosspiece, although not all are so marked. The scabbard is patterned after the US M8A1. However, the metal is blued and the plastic body has a woodgrain pattern.