Renewed Interest In M9 Bayonets

[Greg V]

A few years ago, I ran across a nice Phrobis M9 bayonet. I thought it was a prtetty neat bayonet, so I bought it. I ended up buying a couple more over the next few months. Then, I guess I kind of lost interest and stored them away. A couple of months ago, a friend wanted to see them. He liked them and wanted me to find one for him. In the process, my interest in them was renewed. I have since, started collecting them again and actually studying a bit on them. There is a whole lot more to them that I once thought.

The other day, I bought a great book on the M9 bayonet. The book is titled AMERICAN GLADIUS. If you are a collector of M9's, and don't yet have this book, you really should get it. It's full of great information and pictures.

I'll share something that I just learned. I'm sure many of you already know this, but it is something that almost slipped past me. The first M9 that I bought was Phrobis III Pat. Pend. A few weeks back, I bought another. I noticed that the lettering on the ricassos looked a little different. I didn't think too much of it until I read in the book that there are two font variations, both narrow and wide. It's little things like this that make collecting so great.

I measured both fonts with calipers and found that there is quite a difference in them. It's not just that the narrow one has finer stamping, there is actually a difference in the width. I attached a picture for comparison. It is subtle to look at, but I think you will be able to see it. The wide font variation is on the left and the narrow on the right. I also noticed that the wide one has dots on the latch plate and lock release levers. I thought all of them had dots, but my narrow font Phrobis does not.

I just bought three a line chevron and a crazy 9. I'll post a new thread when i get them both.

Thanks for looking.

Greg V

Information

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[porterkids]

Greg,

Welcome to the world of M9 collecting. I've been at it for over twenty years and have well over 200 M9 bayonets. It's addicting.

The information you shared above, plus much, much more has been available on line for quite a few years. Check out M9Bayonet.com: The Website for everything about the M9 Bayonet and the associated forums at Quarterbore's Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Additional comments on the new book, American Gladius can be found here: M9 Book "American Gladius" - Quarterbore's Forums