Springfield M1 Garand, 1942, the "correct" bayonet for it??

Howdy,
I wanted to say thanks for everybody posting so much information on this site. It has been a pleasure reading and learning.

I have recently, after being a big big, huge fan of the M1 Garand, purchased a M1 Garand, I actually really lucked out on the purchase. I ended up buying a Springfield M1 Garand from a friend's father that had the rifle for years, it's a 60X,XXX serial number and in very nice condition. It was all in pieces when I bough it but all put back together now, all pieces were in ziplock bags.

Have shot it few times, and it shoots like a dream for sure !!! Love the sound of the clip ejecting at the end of the last round, that's my favorite sound, haha.

Well I guess get to the question I have, the rifle production date lands in May of 1942 based on the serial of 60X,XXX. I have started looking at getting a original bayonet for it, I think it really completes the rifle, BUT being that the rifle being manufactured in 1942, in the middle of all the fiasco with all the bayonets, I am at a loss on which bayonet to look for and get for it, to kind of make it a complete rifle.

From the 3 choices bellow what would be the most logical or "correct" one to get?
Model 1942 16in long,
Model 1905E1 cut down to 10in
Model M1 10in

I know I guess any of them would work but any opinions from anybody? And these for sure seem to range in prices as well and some go up to few hundred dollars. I know in a perfect world I would get all 3 but hey let's face it not there yet, haha.

Sorry for the long email but I figured a little into never hurt anybody. Any opinions would be GREATLY appreciated and once again thanks for all the great posts on this great forum.

Thanks
Haris

If you are asking which bayonet would have been issued to a soldier in the time frame that the Garand was issued, the answer is one of several possibilities.

1. Any Model of 1905 which was designed for the 1903 Springfield and produced from 1906 to 1922 by Rock Island Arsenal and Springfield Armory. The bayonets originally had wooden grips, and were dated and had serial numbers.

2. Any Model of 1905, second production period from 1942 to 1943 by six different contractors. Since your Garand was made in 1942, it was likely issued in 1942 so a 1942 dated bayonet would be correct.

3. If for some reason your Garand was not issued until 1943, then one of the modified early versions of the 1905 bayonet would be possible. These bayonets were modified by cutting off the tip so the blade was 10". These bayonets were modified in 1943 and 1944.

4. Again, if your Garand was issued in 1943, then a model M1 bayonet could have been issued. Production of the model M1 began in 1943.

The M5 and M5A1 bayonets were produced beginning in 1953.

Ref.: American Military Bayonets of the 20th Century by Gary M. Cunningham

AKinGA, check your May '42 rifle for the early Type 1 lock bar on the rear sight, they are kind of rare! Here are some photos of my May '42 rifle showing the rear sight

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RBruce

If you are asking which bayonet would have been issued to a soldier in the time frame that the Garand was issued, the answer is one of several possibilities.

1. Any Model of 1905 which was designed for the 1903 Springfield and produced from 1906 to 1922 by Rock Island Arsenal and Springfield Armory. The bayonets originally had wooden grips, and were dated and had serial numbers.

2. Any Model of 1905, second production period from 1942 to 1943 by six different contractors. Since your Garand was made in 1942, it was likely issued in 1942 so a 1942 dated bayonet would be correct.

3. If for some reason your Garand was not issued until 1943, then one of the modified early versions of the 1905 bayonet would be possible. These bayonets were modified by cutting off the tip so the blade was 10". These bayonets were modified in 1943 and 1944.

4. Again, if your Garand was issued in 1943, then a model M1 bayonet could have been issued. Production of the model M1 began in 1943.

The M5 and M5A1 bayonets were produced beginning in 1953.

Ref.: American Military Bayonets of the 20th Century by Gary M. Cunningham

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Excellent summary!

With Garands, I'm reminded a little of model railroading: There, a locomotive can be modeled for a particular period. It might have had a certain appearance when new, then had an upgrade a few years later where certain changes were made, and then again in another ten when it was refurbished and started another life. There could have been interim changes seen in photographs including some reversions back to previous gear as well, making the documentation process interesting.

With an older Garand, you could probably choose any bayonet (or all) and "model" a particular period of the life of the weapon!

Bob

There is one more possible bayonet choice for the M1. If the M1 rifle was used by the Corps of Cadets at the U. S. Military Academy, West Point then the proper bayonet would be the Model of 1892 Krag bayonet.