M8 Scabbards

[Bizio]

Hi all,
I have two US M8 scabbards which are both marked "US M8 B.M. co."
They are different in their canvas strip.

This is a photo I found in the web with google.
One scabbard is same as the one at the bottom. Shorter canvas strip and no metal clip.
The other scabbard is same as the one in the middle.



Which of the two is the earlier model ?
Thank you.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

If you check the scabbard mouth, you may find one marked M8 and the other M8A1. The M8 was shorter and just fit on a belt. The M8A1 was the change of adding the M1910 belt hook and initially they just sewed it in the loop. The complaint was that it would no longer slip over the pistol belt so the longer belt loop was added. Many times you find an M8 that had the loop changed for the long one, and someone will cut the threads and remove the M1910 hooks. You can tell the difference because the loop is so long. The M8 is noticeably shorter.

[Bizio]

Hello brauningautorifle,
as I said above their mouths are marked both "US M8 B.M. co."
I know the M8A1 scabbard, but it is a post WWII model generally used with M5/M5A1 bayonets for M1 Garand rifle in the Korea era.

Here are the photos of my scabbards ...

[browningautorifle]

The one with the shorter belt loop is early.

[Tom in N.J.]

They both had short belt loops when made. The one on the left has been updated to M8A1 standards, but the original markings remain.

[browningautorifle]

If you read the whole thing, that's what I told him. Thanks for jumping in at the end.

[Bizio]

Understood now, thank you.

Do you know where I could get a pair of rivets to fix and replace the canvas belt in the one on the left ?
I have some M8A1 and I could get a good belt to restore the M8 scabbard which has the belt corroded by rust.

[browningautorifle]

I've never been able to find replacement parts and that's always been a tough part. You could find the scabbard with poor canvas or a poor scabbard with good canvas. Now, if we can only swap them over...

[Sarge1998]

PM or email Bill Ricca, I seem to recall he has some sources or suggestions.

[Bizio]

Thanks, I will do.
The canvas was very dirty, I washed it with water and soap and it broke in the rear of the scabbard 'cause of the rust. It was my mistake.