Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice 1943-dated U.S. bayonet with a 10 inch cut-down blade for the M1 Garand Rifle, complete with the correct WWII Issue M7 scabbard. In 1943, the U.S. Army made the decision to shorten the M1905 bayonet's blade to 10 inches (25.4 cm) and as many of the M1905 and M1942 bayonets were recalled as possible, their blades were cut down to size, and were reissued. These shortened M1905 bayonets were re-designated as M1905E1.

The U.S. Army also introduced a new purpose-made shorter M1 bayonet which was designed to be used with the M1 Garand rifle. The M1 bayonet's blade is 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and the handle is 4 inches (10.1 cm) long. Like this example, they are easily identified by the blade fuller, which on a cut-down version runs to the edge of the blade, such as the blade on this example.

These shorter bayonets functioned well in the European theater, where in the rare bayonet-actions of the time they were matched up against the 9​ 3/4 inch long blade of the German S84/98 III bayonet fitted on the Karabiner 98k rifle. However, in the Pacific theater, the Japanese used the much longer, 15.75 inches (40.0 cm), bladed Type 30 sword bayonet on the already very long Arisaka rifle, which caused many American troops to retain the longer, unmodified M1905 bayonet.

This example is in good shape, with just a bit of wear and oxidation from age and storage. The blade ricasso is marked with maker A. F. H. (American Fork & Hoe of Geneva, Ohio) above U.S. around the Ordnance flaming bomb. Below this is the manufacture date, 1943. The original phosphate finish on the blade of this example is mostly retained, and the original factory sharpening is fully retained and still quite sharp. The blade, crossguard, and pommel really don't show any signs of use, just some oxidation and patination from age.

The red grips present on this example are actually somewhat rare. The bayonet doesn't have the standard black plastic grips, instead they are made of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, commonly called CAB. In use, it was found that this material was softened by the solvents used to remove grease in the field. As it had been found that there were sufficient supplies of the black Bakelite material, the use of CAB was discontinued in April 1943. Original use of these grips was therefore restricted to the 16 inch blade M1905 bayonet. The red grips were almost exclusively used by American Fork and Hoe (AFH), although it is possible that some small amounts were used by other makers.

The spine of the hilt is stamped AFH indicating that it is a cut-down version, sent back and shortened by the original manufacturer, and that it wasn’t originally manufactured this short.

The original M7 scabbard is marked U.S. on the parkerized steel throat over the "Flaming Bomb", and is in good condition. The scabbard body has no cracks or major chips, just a bit of wear through to the original finish, and no sign of major damage.

A very nice 10” cut down M1 Garand bayonet with scabbard by American Fork & Hoe, complete with scabbard! Ready to display or fit on your Garand Rifle.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4"