M-9 bayonet identification

M

Miguel Carrillo

Joined
Jan 14, 2001
Messages
4
Hello,

I have several M-9 models manufactured by Phrobis, Buck, Marto, LanCay and Ontario. As a collector I think that the quality of the M-9s made by Phrobis, Buck and Marto is much better than the ones actually supplied by Lan-Cay or Ontario. In the Country where I live, Spain, I have purchased an absolutely unmarked and very well finished M-9 bayonet. It seems a model made by one the three first contractors. Marto, a well known cutlery still radicated in Olias del Rey (Toledo), as usual, does not reply to my letters about the M-9s, although, I see that Buck has not any inconveninece to do it, so, please, what do you know about this unmarked M9?. A fellow collector told me that these replicas has been made in ... China. Is it true? Do you know the name of the maker?

Thanks in advance,

Miguel Carrillo

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Miguel Carrillo
Canary Islands (SPAIN)
 
Hi Miguel,
I collect the M9 series exclusively. I believe the variant you are asking about is a Chinese made copy of the M9. I have one in my collection that is as you describe, totally unmarked and in a "Phrobis" style blade configuration. Steel quality is unknown, but the finish does look good. The scabbard is also similar to a Phrobis/Buck except the webbing is thinner material, and a round safety stop is added to the blade cutter attachment. I have seen later Chinese models made for the US market with lightly marked serial numbers of some kind, but no makers names. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks a lot for your information. Marto still has in stock hundreds of unasambled M-9 bayonets plus scabbards and I had supposed that it had erased its marks to offers that model again. The quality of this Chinese item is much better than the quality of its AK bayonets. Always a good new for any collector to know the posibility to obtain high quality replicas of the "first pattern" M-9 bayonet.

Regards, Miguel.


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Miguel Carrillo
Canary Islands (SPAIN)
 
Just a clarification; Phrobis never made a knife or bayonet in the entire time of their nebulos existence. Phrobis secured the contract specifications, Buck made the bayonets with the Probis markings on them, as well as the "civilian" model with the Buck tang stamp.

Vern Taylor

 
Hi Vern,

Thanks for your message. Yes, it is true. I knew it but I usually forget it. Phrobis is (or was) a research and development company, not a manufacturer. They licensed the design and production to the Buck Knife Company, and retained the patent rights. Later Phrobis production used blades and parts made in Spain and are so marked (Marto, I suppose). Production using Spanish baldes was not for the U.S. Army, and apparently was for sales to other countries.

Source: "American Military Bayonets of the 20th Century" written by Gary M. Cunningham. Published by Scott A. Duff Publications. PA. 1997

Regards, Miguel.



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Miguel Carrillo
Canary Islands (SPAIN)
 
Miguel,
Welcome to the forums! That is an interesting bayonet you described. I have not yet heard of such a knife although i do vaguely recall someone mentioning a chineese version.


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Joe Houser
Director of Consumer relations
Buck Collectors club Administrator and member #123
 
Hello Joe,

Thanks for your message. US Cavalry has that model in stock. You can see three or four good pics of it on its website www.uscav.com Search for the word bayonet.

Regards,

Miguel



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Miguel Carrillo
Canary Islands (SPAIN)
 
I just happen to have one from the US Army. On the near side it is marked BUCK
188C
U.S.A.

The obverse side is plain.

Is the near side converse?

The scabbard is stamped BUCK. I guess they all fit the M16, didn`t they?

A pretty complex scabbard. The snaps are not one way. I just relearned that.

It is too heavy for light INF., but if weight were not a problem,it is a nice package. We have a lighter, albiet not as field usefull, mod.

I like the Randall #1 as an all purpose knife. I did get this a lot cheaper.

No sign of rust. Blade is issued plenty sharp. I just steeled it.

It would boost your moral fixed on a rifle,but a bit ackward for a field knife.
 
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