M7 bayonets
How could I date a M7 Bayonet without the use of an antiques dealer? Any ideas?
No antique dealer will be able to give any details surrounding bayonets as recent as M7s. Blades from WW2 perhaps and earlier too maybe. The real experts are out there and thanks to the WWW I have been able to glean much info on blades and helmets.
I recently chanced onto a website just by Googleing 'M9 bayonets' and one in particular run by a Mister Moon has some fine pictures and information. I recommend the site to anyone.
Try the same with M7 bayonets and you'll be impressed with the info that comes up.
I have only seen one example of a cheap M7 chinese copy and it was SO bad that it was laughable. No so, however, with a chinese fake of an M9 that I bought in 2005 at a militaria show back here in the UK.
This 'fake' is of an even better quality that the real thing but the funny thing is that the markings do not copy an exisiting make like Phrobis, Lancay, Buck or Ontario Knife Co.
The base of the blade featured a pencil etching serial number and the scabbard too, was of a high quality.
Arthur