WW2 US CASE M4 BAYONET FOR M1 CARBINE, KOREAN WAR ERA RUBBER HANDLE, ORIGINAL M8A1 SCABBARD; RARE TYPE

Original WW2 era manufacture M4 bayonet for the M1 carbine; this specimen was manufactured by Case & Sons Co. in Bradford, PA. This M4 comes with the original early-issue M8 composition scabbard. This type was intended to be used as a bayonet on a M1 carbine but it was mostly utilized as a fighting and utility knife, just like its “big brother” M3 Trench knife. Both edged weapons were quite popular with the troops.

This M4 has quite a bit of a story behind it – it’s a rare WW2 era type that went on to serve in the Korean War as well. During the Korean War there was a shortage of M4 bayonets as stacked leather handles on most WW2 production M4 bayonets and M3 knives have deteriorated and most were unusable. The conversion to a more practical “rubber” handle was handled by Japan Logistical Command as labor costs were much lower in Japan than at Springfield Armory, as was originally planned. Overall, the US Ordnance Dept. had paid for the conversion of 58,522 WW2 era M3/M4s. All “upgraded” M4 bayonets were sent from Japan directly to the troops in Korea; this type is hard-to-find.

This M4 is about 11-5/8” ; the blade is about 6-8/8″. The blade is in "found condition" the edge is very sharp still; the tip is intact. Solid rubber handle is tight; all parts are solid with no play. The muzzle ring is marked U.S. M4 / CASE on the top; “flaming bomb” US ordinance mark on the underside. Original M8 scabbard is in fair shape, with some separation near tip.

• Rare Case Bayonet Knife
• Excellent condition for its age and use

NKCA Grading system

MINT: A factory fresh knife, absolutely original as it came from the manufacturer, not carried or sharpened, a perfect knife.

NEAR MINT: A new knife that has seen sometimes, show some slight carry or shop wear, blades snap perfectly, handles show no cracks.

EXCELLENT: Shows no more than 10% blade wear, handles are sound, no cracks, blades snap good.

VERY GOOD: About 25% blade wear, slight cracks in handles, may have one lazy blade, stamping clearly visible to the naked eye, no blades changed or repaired.

FAIR: 50% blade wear, blades lazy, cracks and chips in handles, handles replaced with same type, blades repaired, stampings faint but readable with a glass.

POOR: Blades very worn, handles bad or missing, blades have been replaced with the same type, reading of the stamp is almost impossible, even with a glass, good mostly only for parts.