M5A1 Bayonet Basic Information

[Bill Ricca]

Here is a publication from the military. Although it is not an in-detailed study, it gives some basic information to servicemen.

Information

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[Hank Stone]

"In Kuhnhausen's book the M5 and M5A1 are almost identical, with the differences being: (1) the grind of the cutting edge on the M5 goes straight all the way to the guard while the M5A1 curves to nothingness at the guard, and (2) on the M5 the spring that activates the lug release button is at right angles to the button and the tang, while on the M5A1 the tang is modified slightly with an angled surface so the spring is angled toward the point of the knife at about a 45 degree angle instead of at right angles. A third difference is the lug release piece. On the M5 it is a folded piece of sheet steel that when viewed from the front forms a U shape, while on the M5A1 though it is almost identical, there is a fold of metal to enclose the front of the button at the front of the button piece." --Frank Burke

[Bayonetman]

Kuhnhausen is not totally correct, especially concerning the runout/backcut being different. The long sloping runout is not official on the M5 or M5A1 except for the J&D Tool version which is essentially a quarter circle.

It also may be noted that the pivot cut in the M5A1 is an oval rather than a circle.

Upper in photo is M5, lower is M5A1,

My article on these is at: Bayo Points 5

[Bob Womack]

I love this place.

Bob