Original U.S. WWII Theater Made Fighting Knife Made from 1942 Dated M1 Garand Bayonet with Leather Sheath
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent theater made U.S. M1942 bayonet fighting knife which was originally for the M1 Garand Rifle. Technically, this bayonet is considered an M1905 bayonet by the U.S. Army, manufactured in 1942 with plastic ribbed grips. The M1 Garand rifle was designed to take the same blade bayonet as the M1903 Springfield rifle, so at the beginning of the war they were issued with bayonets originally made for those rifles. To keep up with Wartime production, new orders were placed for a version of the M1905 bayonet with plastic grips, and collectors use the designation M1942 for these bayonets, made from 1942 to 1943. Six civilian firms produced 1,540,578 M1905 bayonets from April 1942 to May 1943.
This example retains its original plastic grips but has knuckles welded to the crossguard & pommel, with the two foremost knuckles being “spiked”. The knife has a fantastic patina and it’s clear this was done in theater. The leather scabbard is a bit raw but is in great shape and pairs well with the knife. The bayonet has been sharpened down a great deal and now has a verdigris line on both sides in the middle. The bayonet is marked:
A.F.H.
U. (FLAMING BOMB) S.
1942
AFH is the marking for American Fork & Hoe, a well-known maker of these bayonets. The metal now exhibits a lovely patina with minor pitting and surface rust. The knife has the appearance of faithful use and wear, not one that just sat in a scabbard!
A beautiful knife ready for further research and display.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 9½”
Blade Style: Hand-Worn Double-sided Fighting Knife
Overall length: 14⅞”
Crossguard: 3½”
Sheath Length: 11” with belt loop
- This product is available for international shipping.
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