Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent nearly unissued condition U.S. M1 bayonet with a 10 inch blade for the M1 Garand Rifle, complete with the correct WWII Issue M7 scabbard. This bayonet is essentially the same as the earlier M1905 / M1942 bayonet, but with a 10 inch blade instead of 16 inches. In 1943, the U.S. Army made the decision to shorten the M1905 bayonet's blade to 10 inches (25.4 cm) and as many of the M1905 and M1942 bayonets as possible were recalled, their blades were cut down to size, and were reissued. These shortened M1905 bayonets were re-designated as M1905E1.

The U.S. Army also introduced a new purpose made shorter M1 bayonet which was designed to be used with the M1 Garand rifle. The M1 bayonet's blade is 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and the handle is 4 inches (10.1 cm) long. Like this example, they are easily identified by the blade fuller, which on a cut-down version runs to the edge of the blade. The shorter fuller indicates this is definitely a purpose-made M1 10 inch bayonet.

These shorter bayonets functioned well in the European theater, where in the rare bayonet-actions of the time they were matched up against the 9​ 3⁄4 inch long blade of the German S84/98 III bayonet fitted on the Karabiner 98k rifle. However, in the Pacific theater, the Japanese used the much longer, 15.75 inches (40.0 cm), bladed Type 30 sword bayonet on the already very long Arisaka rifle, which caused many American troops to retain the longer, unmodified M1905 bayonet.

This example is in great shape, showing very little wear, which is most likely just from age and storage. The blade ricasso is marked with maker A. F. H. (American Fork & Hoe of Geneva, Ohio) above U. S. around the Ordnance "flaming bomb". The original phosphate finish on the blade of this example is still in excellent condition, with just a bit of wear on the tip from the scabbard. It also has been arsenal sharpened, which removed the finish. The finish on the hilt is very good, with just a bit of wear and light oxidation, and the grip scales are in a similar condition, showing only minor wear.

The original M7 scabbard is marked U.S. on the parkerized steel throat over the "Flaming Bomb", and is in excellent condition. The B-N marking on the underside of the metal throat lip indicates manufacture by Beckwith Manufacturing, who produced a variety of thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric scabbards during the war. The N is for New England Pressed Steel, who made the steel throats under contract with Beckwith. There is very little wear of any kind on the scabbard, and there is still grease and adhesive left from the arsenal storage wrapping.

A fantastic example of a 10” M1 Garand bayonet with scabbard by A.F.H., complete with scabbard! Ready to display or fit on your Garand Rifle.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4"