I was in my dads storage unit and we came across a bayonet that his uncle frank carried in Europe in WWII. I remember as a kid, my dad had it in his toolbox and he used it as an all around knife. I even snuck a peek at it from time to time. It's seen better days but my dad offered it to me when I said I may be looking to buy a Garand. The scabbard is original although at some point my dad put his initials on it. I brought it home and started breaking through some of the rust on it and loosens up the release mechanism a but. What do you think? It has a flaming bomb embossed both on the blade and scabbard. The blade also has O L on it.

Original uncut 10" blade.

it's cool..i have a k98 bayonet that my grandfather got in ww2 and an m14/16 bayonet from my dad(Vietnam)

while they aren't worth much..they do have alot of value to me....my brother got the carbines my grandfathers both had sent home (he lives in WV) since i can't have them because they are evil

 

I did get a similar bayonet from CMP for my garands...

Awesome. Dave can you explain the significance of the blade being uncut?

 

I wish I had the rifle too...lol

 

Any idea what the makers marks mean? Where it was fabbed? When?

 

I know frank was in Europe but that's all I know.

Awesome. Dave can you explain the significance of the blade being uncut?

The Army decided to go with shorter ones, so they cut them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_bayonet

Oh, an I've got one as well, but in worst condition and without the scabbard.

Here's the marking guide: http://www.google.com/search?q=m1+bayonet+markings&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#biv=i%7C2%3Bd%7Cdd2kvmQ2PCaIcM%3A

So that means this was a later one that was 10 inches at manufacture?

 

I'm considering sending it off for restoration to edgemasters. Any opinion on doing this? I'm not really looking to preserve a collectible value unless it is worth a lot of money. Really I'd just like to restore it so it will last another lifetime. Thoughts?

Ttt because I edited and I'm curious for a response.

Looks like it was wire wheeled ? So as a collectors item its pretty much worthless. But it has a history with your family .

Finish cleaning it up and maybe find some one to parkerize it for you.