Wanted: Crossguard Retaining Bars for a US M5A1 Bayonet

[peregrinvs]

Hi,

I bought this Milpar Col M5A1 bayonet yesterday at what seemed like a good price, but dismantling it today has revealed it is missing the two U shaped retaining bars that secure the crossguard. (So THAT’S why the crossguard was loose…) I don’t suppose there is a source of these? (Plus the hollow pin that secures them to the tang)

Thanks for any help.

Mark

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/5-4.jpg

[Flying10uk]

I would suggest making the retaining plates. From what I can see from your pic they are flat, not formed. You might want to start by cutting the shape out of cardboard to begin with and then using it as a template once you have got it somewhere near to the required shape/size. If you don't have access to a lathe, perhaps a roll-pin would suffice to locate the plates on the tang if you can find one of a suitable diameter.

[peregrinvs]

That had occurred to me, but I only have access to basic hand tools which would make it quite time consuming. I may feel more enthusiastic if I find a suitable piece of metal tube that has the correct dimensions to fit the tang hole and the bolt width.

A placeholder fix I am considering is joining the tang and the crossguard together with small dollops of epoxy under the grips. It should secure the crossguard, but be reversible should I ever find or make the missing parts.

PS. Why did I buy it? It was because I found a very reasonably priced Vietnam era M8A1 scabbard in an army surplus shop in Bremen, Germany whilst on holiday there in July and was looking for something to fill it. The other option was a repro M3 knife.

[Flying10uk]

I only have access to basic hand tools which would make it quite time consuming.

You could invest in a high speed rotary mini-drill, something like a Dremel.

I would probably make a cardboard template first if you are not sure of the size/shape of the location plates as I have already suggested.