{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-aerial-cutlery-a-c-c-m4-bayonet-for-m1-carbine-with-b-m-co-m8-marked-scabbard-in-m8a1-configuration","title":"Original U.S. WWII Aerial Cutlery A.C.C. M4 Bayonet for M1 Carbine with B.M. Co. M8-Marked Scabbard in M8A1 Configuration","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a U.S. WWII M4 Bayonet-Knife for the .30 caliber M1 Carbine, manufactured by \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAerial Cutlery Company of Marinette, Wisconsin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. This example is especially interesting for its early \u003cb\u003eA.C.C.\u003c\/b\u003e maker marking and is complete with its original stacked-leather grip and a wartime \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eB.M. Co.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e scabbard with Victory Plastics body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M4 bayonet was standardized in 1944 and was essentially an adaptation of the earlier M3 fighting knife. The M3's distinctive spear-point blade and stacked-leather grip were retained, while a muzzle ring was added to the guard and the pommel redesigned with a locking mechanism so the knife could be mounted to the M1 Carbine. Early M1 Carbines had not been designed to accept a bayonet, but a revised barrel band incorporating a bayonet lug was introduced during 1944. The M4 consequently became the standard bayonet for late-production and subsequently upgraded M1 Carbines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guard of this example is clearly stamped with the U.S. Ordnance shell-and-flame emblem followed by:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eU.S. M4\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e A.C.C.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eA.C.C\u003c\/b\u003e. marking is an early marking used by \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAerial Cutlery Company\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e before the firm changed its M4 marking to AERIAL, reportedly because the initials could be confused with American Cutlery Company. Aerial was the lowest-volume of the seven principal WWII M4 contractors. Documented wartime contracts total approximately 91,898 M4 bayonets, making Aerial examples particularly desirable to collectors assembling M4 bayonets by manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bayonet retains the classic grooved stacked-leather washer grip of WWII M4 production. The leather has an attractive dark brown aged appearance and shows little wear, the grip remains substantially intact. The steel guard retains its muzzle ring, while the pommel retains the characteristic M4 T-slot and locking components. The latch plate also shows the \u003cb\u003eSP\u003c\/b\u003e marking associated with \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStandard Products Company of Port Clinton, Ohio\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, one of the primary wartime suppliers of M4 latch plates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spear-point blade remains well formed with a strong profile and clearly defined grinds. It shows scattered scratches, light oxidation, and brighter areas along portions of the edge and grind consistent with use and possible sharpening. The guard and pommel retain a dark military finish with expected edge and contact wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying scabbard is particularly interesting. Its steel throat is clearly marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eU.S. M8\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e B.M. CO.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhile the molded green body carries the characteristic \u003cb\u003eVp\u003c\/b\u003e Victory Plastics marking with the number \u003cb\u003e28\u003c\/b\u003e below. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBeckwith Manufacturing Company\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e held the government contracts for these scabbards, while its Victory Plastics subsidiary actually manufactured the molded bodies, explaining the combination of B.M. Co. throat markings and Vp body markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the throat remains marked \u003cb\u003eM8\u003c\/b\u003e, the scabbard features the extended web hanger and M1910-style double wire hook associated with the improved M8A1 configuration. This combination is documented during the wartime transition from the M8 to the M8A1, when M8-marked throat fittings continued to be used with the newer hanger arrangement. Some earlier M8 scabbards were also later upgraded in this manner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard remains in good service-used condition. The green molded body retains strong coloration with scattered scuffs and areas of finish wear, while the web hanger shows expected age and handling. The wire belt hook and retaining hardware remain present and complete. This bayonet is in very good condition overall, retaining a strong blade profile, attractive original stacked-leather grip, clear manufacturer markings, and a complete functioning pommel assembly. The accompanying scabbard also presents well, with strong green coloration and complete web and belt-hook hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements:\u003cbr\u003eBlade 6 ¾”\u003cbr\u003eFull Length of Bayonet 11 ⅝”\u003cbr\u003eFull Length 13”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45715485032517,"sku":"ONSV26CC024","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CC024__01_43e82b87-d5d5-44ae-8a74-0f538ccc8575.jpg?v=1790477145","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-aerial-cutlery-a-c-c-m4-bayonet-for-m1-carbine-with-b-m-co-m8-marked-scabbard-in-m8a1-configuration","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}