Original U.S. Vietnam War Era M7 Bayonet by Imperial for M16 Rifle with M8A1 Scabbard and 2018-Dated Detachable Aluminum Knuckles

Original Item. Only One Available. The M7 bayonet is very similar to the older M4 bayonet with the Korean War era plastic grips for the M1/M2 carbines except that the M7 has a much larger muzzle ring. The M7 has the same two-lever locking mechanism as the M4, that connects to a lug on the M16 rifle's barrel. The M4 (M1/M2 carbine), M5 (M1 rifle), and M6 bayonet (M14 rifle), are all derived from the World War II M3 fighting knife.

This is an interesting M7 bayonet which has been fitted with a custom set of detachable aluminum knuckles, which are embossed 2018 PAT. PEND. USA. The knuckles fit into the slot that allows attachment to the rifle, so this is a great fighting knife set. The blade retains most of its finish but there does appear to be later sharpening.

The M8A1 scabbard is marked TWB, the initials used by the Pennsylvania Working Home for the Blind in 1969-1970. There is a shoelace thong still attached.

A great Vietnam fighting knife with modern-added knuckles, ready for further research and display.

Dimensions:
Blade length: 6 3/4”
Blade Style: Spear Point Bayonet
Overall length: 12”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard length: 7 3/8" with belt frog

The M7 differs from M6 bayonet for the M14 rifle. Most notably, the diameter of the muzzle rings, and the locking mechanism. The M7's release mechanism is on the pommel, while the M6 has a spring-loaded lever near the guard that when depressed releases the bayonet. Both models are approximately the same length, have the same black finish, and use the M8A1 (NSN 1095-508-0339), or later M10 (NSN 1095-00-223-7164) sheath.

The M7's 1095 carbon steel blade is 6.75 in (17.1 cm) long, with an overall length of 11.75 in (29.8 cm). Blade width is 0.1875 in (0.476 cm) and it weighs about 9.6 oz (270 g). One edge is sharpened its full length while the opposite side of the blade has approximately 3 in (7.6 cm) sharpened. There are no markings on the blade itself. The manufacturer's initials or name, along with "US M7", will be found stamped under the crossguard (see photo, right). The non-slip grips are molded black plastic. The steel parts have a uniform dark grey/black parkerized finish.

The M7 bayonet NSN is NSN 1095-00-017-9701. The initial contractor was Bauer Ord Company. Colt (manufacturer of the M16) and Ontario Knife Company made many of the M7 bayonets for the military and continue to make and sell them commercially. Other manufacturers included Carl Eickhorn [for Colt], Columbus Milpar & Mfg. (MIL-PAR), Conetta Mfg., Frazier Mfg., General Cutlery (GEN CUT), and Imperial Knife. The M7 was also manufactured in Canada, West Germany, the Philippines, Singapore, Israel, South Korea, and Australia.

The M7 has been partially replaced with the M9 bayonet by the United States Army, and the United States Marine Corps replaced it with the OKC-3S bayonet. The Army, Navy, and USAF still use M7s and may do so for many years.