WTK: M4 Bayonets

[md66948]

I just purchased two WWII M4s brought back from WWII. One was carried by the GI and the other was won in a poker game on the way back.

My questions are about the M8 Scabbards and the makers mark.

One has a metal belt attachment and the other just has a loop. Why the difference?

One is Utica with a flaming bomb and the other is Camillus without a flaming bomb. Why is there a flaming bomb on one and not the other?

Thank You and Have a Great Day!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

It was just the way they were marked. Flaming bomb or not. The scabbards, M8 was the first and then they found the belt loop was too short and too hard to change on the fighting belt. The hooks were initially added by sewing and then they discovered the belt loop was too short so the made a longer belt loop with the hook sewn in. The M8 originals are getting hard to find in original form.

[md66948]

Thank You Jim!

[gsimmons]

The first M8's were also made with OD#3 webbing that is even harder to find.

[gew8805]

Good info so far. For more detail, see Gary Cunningham's article on the M8 Scabbard in his excellent website, Bayonet Points , the article is linked below:

Bayo Points 18

[marysdad]

Use of the "shell and flame" was discontinued after the Second World War. The Camillus example was made in the early 1950s. That's why no shell and flame. These Camillus M4s were the only post-war M4s made with the leather grip. Notice that the crosspiece on the Camillus is wider than the Utica Cutlery wartime example. Camillus later reproduced this 1950s contract M4 for commericial sales, however, yours is a period piece. Congrats on an interesting M4 bayonet.

[browningautorifle]

The Camillus example was made in the early 1950s. That's why no shell and flame. These Camillus M4s were the only post-war M4s made with the leather grip.

Excellent info...

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

An excellent U.S. knife reference are the Cole books. Three is probably the most popular. The Cole books are hard to find and costly. After Mr. Cole died, Michael Silvey combine the Cole books into one. In that one some information from the others was omitted. It is also costly.

I know of three types of M-8 scabbards. Pulled them out for a few pictures.

Top.........Short frog without the hanger.
Middle.....Short frog with the hanger.
Bottom....Long frog with the hanger.

[old-smithy]

Gary Cunningham's new book on US bayonets goes into great detail on the minor changes and variations of US edged bayonets well worth getting if you want the minutia, or just want to collect US

[A square 10]

i have garys first book - it was great - ill get garys second book ,