M7 Colt Bayonet What year?

[gerry]

Lately these Colt M7 bayonets have popped up all over the place. Some say they are Vietnam era in storage and others have said there 1980's production.
I got this one for $57 shipped, but not really sure what year it is. On William Humes M7 bayonet page it sounds like its Vietnam era but its not clear to me.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Gerry,

I suspect it is marked U.S. M7 on the guard with no maker name and has a 6 3/4" blade? If so, in Cole's book he says "Imperial stated they made around 30,000 of these for Colt. The scabbard is made of glass filled nylon with a crinkle type O.D. finish stamped US M8A1, and like the bayonet has no makers mark." Also he signed the page 1978, so that leaves out any thoughts of it being from the 80's.

Also in Cole's book it says there was another with the same blade markings but without the little circle R. The grind on the blade was vertical not rounded. On the guard it was marked US M7 Milpar with a 6 1/2" blade. It was one of two Milpar M-7's the other was not blade marked and had a 6 5/8" blade. The guards on these two also had a bit of a tapering on them where as the Imperial did not.

Hope that helps.

JimF

[gerry]

Gerry,

I suspect it is marked U.S. M7 on the guard with no maker name and has a 6 3/4" blade? If so, in Cole's book he says "Imperial stated they made around 30,000 of these for Colt. The scabbard is made of glass filled nylon with a crinkle type O.D. finish stamped US M8A1, and like the bayonet has no makers mark." Also he signed the page 1978, so that leaves out any thoughts of it being from the 80's.

Also in Cole's book it says there was another with the same blade markings but without the little circle R. The grind on the blade was vertical not rounded. On the guard it was marked US M7 Milpar with a 6 1/2" blade. It was one of two Milpar M-7's the other was not blade marked and had a 6 5/8" blade. The guards on these two also had a bit of a tapering on them where as the Imperial did not.

Hope that helps.

JimF

Wow that sure does help. Yes it is marked US M7 on the guard. Which Cole book are you using? I have book III on its way in the mail right now.
Thanks again,
Gerry

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Gerry,

Yes, it is in Cole's #3 pages 115 and 118.

Also in U.S. MILITARY KNIVES BAYONETS & MACHETES the best of M. H. Cole Compiled and edited by Michael W. Silvey pages 149 & 152.

Jim

[A square 10]

similar info in gary cunninghams book p94 [page shows this one and the milpar version ] he adds that its not known how many were used for US contracts , but i picked one up as well , its very nice