Bayonet for M1 Rifle . . . ?

Joined
Dec 21, 1999
Messages
869
Which model bayonet is specifically designed for the M1 Garand rifle?

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ralph
 
According to authoritative works (Canfield and Cole) here is the way it went. Adopted in 1936 the M1 Garand was designed to take the M1905 bayonet (same as the M1903 Springfield) because there were alot of them in stock left over from WWI This bayonet had wooden grips and a 16" blade with a leather and canvas covered M1910 scabbard(costs today are about $250 in good condition,if you can find one) By 1941-42 the M1905 (16")bayonet was being manufactured again as WW1 stocks began to wane. This bayonet had plastic (black) handles and the new M3 plastic scabbard. (costs today are about $150-$200 in good condition) By 1943 the 16" blade was considered to long and existing socks the were cut down to 10" in a spear or bowie point and called the M905E1 (Costs today are $75-$100 with the bowie point in the higher end)with a corresponding M3E1, then designated M7, plastic scabbard. By 1943 the bayonet was being made in a true 10" length (spear point) and called the M1. Handles were still black plastic with some being made with brown handles (rare today) (Cost today are $50-$75) These were used for years up until 1957 when the M-14 replaced the M1 as the US "Battle Rifle" A total of 2 1/2 million of the M1905-M1 bayonets were made and modified during WW11. A later variant had no barrel ring but a pin that fits inside the indentation of the gas piston spring assembly underneath the barrel (rare and I have no info on these but have seen them from time to time) Also many M1905 bayonets in 10" and 6" blade lengths were made in NATO countries given US surplus M1 Garand rifles after WW11. The early M1905 to include cutdown mdls were arsenel made (Springfield and Rock Island) but during WW11 a number of old line knife companies and farming implement outfits like American Fork & Hoe, PAL Blade & Tool Co. Oneida Ltd. etc got into the act. Some people try to collect all models from every manufacturer (9 or 10) which is a danting task. Look in ShotGun News and go to gunshows as many can still be found (including a 16" black plastic training bayonet) but as stocks are low they can be pricey for mint examples. The M1905 and it varients will not fit the Krag but only the M1 and the M1903 Springfield (except for the mdl with the gas assmbly pin attachment) M1917 bayonet will only fit the M1917 Enfield, but thats another story. Hope this help. Weldonk
 
THIS is what I was looking for . .. . thanks!
Got a M-1 ordered from DCM and want to be on the lookout for a suitable bayonet. With this info, I know what to look for . . .
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ralph
 
The Krag bayonet fitting on an M-1 is something an advanced collector once told me a number of years ago. I never had a chance to try it for myself. Taking a look at the late Al Hardin's "American Bayonets" I can now see the mounting latch seems to be different.
 
ralphtt,
email me at lifter4Him1@aol.com if you're interested in a 1903 Springfield Armory cut down version bayonet-of course it's very used.

Dave
 
Ralphett: If your M1 is from DCM it will be a late manufacture and a true example of this date would sport an M1 bayonet (try for the brown plastic handle) with perhaps a M1905E1 (Bowie point would be unique) cut down example as a backup choice. The M1's are hitting the surplus market now (See ShotGun Times and Shooting List) for about $70+ in good to very good condition. Mint examples are $100+ and hard to find because most were issued. For example M-14 and M-16 bayonets in new condition are cheap ($30-$40) because not all of them were issued and there are alot still in gov't stocks. Also bear in mind that the late model M1 Garands had webbing slings as issue (except parade and marksmanship examples) but a well oiled leather sling does look nice. A DCM rifle would put it in the time period where the leather sling would have steel and not brass fittings. To complete your outfit make sure you get the proper cleaning kit to put in the trapdoor storage area in the rear of the stock (SGNews has them) Have Fun Weldonk
 
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