Posted 4 years ago
fortapache
(3293 items)
Picked this up at the Topanga Vintage Market which was my first time at that flea market. It is a smaller one with about 200 dealers but the quality is high. Got a few items so it is worth a return trip. Now as for this bayonet.
This is the M6 bayonet with an M8A1 scabbard for the M14 rifle. This was first introduced in 1957 and first delivered in 1961. OK that makes no sense but I just go by what I am told. The last were delivered in 1969. These are still used by snipers and a few others. Hope they don't mind that they are over 50 years old. This one was made by Imperial Knives and is marked USMC. When buying vintage knives it is a good idea to look out for military markings and a brand name. That way helps to avoid those tourist knives often posted.
As seen in the last photo this blade has become a standard style since WWII. This bayonet was used mostly in the Vietnam War as it was used by the Marines until 1968 when the M14 was replaced by the M16.
The bayonets are for these rifles in the last photo from left to right are for the M1 Carbine WWII and Korea, M1 Rifle Korea version, M14 Vietnam and M16 Vietnam to Gulf War.
I think tomorrow there shall be some insulator action.
Thank you very much Thomas. That song sure got its share of airplay.
We were issued these in Vietnam in 68. First thing you did was everyone pee in a big tin can then add cigarette ashes and soak your blade in it. If you didn't kill them today the gangrene would get them by morning. Yes we had Geneva Convention cards but we weren't in Geneva.
Thank you very much fhrjr2 and thank you very much for your service. I won't tell anyone.