Vietnam era M1917 bayonet and scabbard questions?

[Flying10uk]

The one that I've purchased is a U.S. made example but interestingly I'm given to understand that Canadian Arsenals made them too in the 1960s. They would fit into a British leather 1907 scabbard which are obtainable but would look slightly ridiculous.

[browningautorifle]

Canadian Arsenals

There are several links on that one but suffice to say the meat of it is here...about 2000 made... M1917 bayonet - Wikipedia

[Flying10uk]

Ok thanks Jim. I take it that at least some WW1 vintage M1917 bayonets were taken out to Vietnam for use with the shotguns, not just new production bayonets?

[Aragorn243]

Best I can tell, they did use original 1917 bayonets in Vietnam. They just didn't have enough of them so started production again. We were in Vietnam for a LONG time.

[Melanie_Daniels]

Here are more informations of the Vetnam era M. 1917 bayonets. I have two of the Canadian bayonets. They came both with the WWII plastic scabbard.

Bayo Points 10

[browningautorifle]

I shouldn't think the leather scabbard would be much of a winner in the wet jungle conditions. It would promote rust and decay...fiberglass could have a well oiled blade in it without issue. I think the scabbards are Victory Plastics?

[Melanie_Daniels]

That problem is the reason that st of the Siam P. 1907 sabbards have today the full metal scabbards. First they were devilverd with leather scabbards but this was no good idea.

I think that the Canadians only made the bayonets and the Americans used them with the WWII plastic scabbard.

[browningautorifle]

I think that the Canadians only made the bayonets and the Americans used them with the WWII plastic scabbard.

That's right. I think that the scabbards were actually made by various US manufacturers, made by BM Co, VP Co, BA Inc & VZM...

[Aragorn243]

Now you are back to the original problem. Do the WWII plastic scabbards work or not? Early in the discussion we determined they would not but now Melanie has two which are in WWII scabbards.

[Flying10uk]

Could we see some pictures of the plastic scabbards, please, Melanie? Possibly they are post WW2 production?

I took the decision to order the U.S.N. M1 scabbard which I had the opportunity to buy because, although I'm not expecting the M1917 bayonet to fit, it will be a useful spare scabbard to have. There doesn't appear to be many original production long plastic scabbards available over here for U.S. bayonets.