Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original U.S. WWII M1 bayonet manufactured by American Fork & Hoe, complete with its correct M7 scabbard. The bayonet was purpose-made with a 10-inch blade for use with the M1 Garand rather than being one of the earlier 16-inch M1905 or M1942 bayonets later shortened during wartime modification programs.

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 were recalled, their blades were cut down to size, and were reissued. These shortened M1905 bayonets were re-designated as M1905E1. This one was originally made to be 10 inches.

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, with moderate overall wear. The blade ricasso is marked with maker A. F. H. (American Fork & Hoe of Geneva, Ohio) above U.S. around the Ordnance flaming bomb. Below this is the manufacture date but as per the pattern of AFH, it is not visible due to the crossguard. The original phosphate finish on the blade of this example is roughly 85% retained.

The original M7 scabbard is marked U.S. on the parkerized steel throat over the "Flaming Bomb", and is in good condition without any cracks or major chips, though there is heavy overall wear and initials/laundry number scratched on, CWC 8779. The only match we found for this set of initials and laundry number is Charley W. Cotherman of Alaska.

The combination of the purpose-made 10-inch M1 configuration, A.F.H. manufacture, approximately 85% retained phosphate finish, correct U.S.-marked M7 scabbard, and scratched CWC 8779 identification makes this a strong representative WWII M1 Garand bayonet set. The moderate service wear and heavily worn scabbard are consistent with field use, while the original wartime finish and markings remain well preserved.

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