I had ordered two (2) of the new M5-A1 bayonets on 7/6/10. Then the pictures starting showing up here & on the CMP thread. With that info in hand I re-visited 'Bayo-Points' and concluded these were unlikely to be USGI..No DAS..I further concluded that they were likely US Made for 'Foriegn Use' - Bayonetmans post above re-affirms my research.
I cancelled my order yesterday afternoon and I'm glad I did. I don't mind supporting CMP's mission but these M5-A1 bayonets are premium priced for IMO non-USGI Bayonets. I'll watch the offerings CMP posts for earlier model bayo's when they come up.
Thanks Bayonetman for your info and as things have shaken out maybe CMP should have found a way to "pay for your expenses" while you "volunteered" your expertise.
It seems like it would have been a good idea...............
For Orest to pay bayonetman's expenses since he seems to possess the expertise on bayonets. I'm like most people, I have guns and I like to have accountrements like bayonets to go along with them, but I'm sure not an expert. I've always gone on the theory that if I thought something was a good deal, then it's a good deal. I've got bayonets and I've got a couple of books on bayonets but that's the extent of my knowledge. I really does seem that the CMP bayonets are pricey but that's just my opinion.
That's precisely why I bought mine on Evilbay. It's a J&D Tool Co M5-1 WITH the DAS AND it was cheaper than the CMP. The CMP isn't always your best bet.
Jon
Never been much into bayonets this new.After reading all the posts about these I think I'll get a copy of bayonetman's book.I see more people making comments as to pricing for what they are than anything else.Over the last almost 60 years I have determined one unalterable fact of life,there is ALWAYS somebody selling it cheaper than the place I bought it at.
It may well be that it's againist the CMP Charter to "Pay".."Volunteers" (Oxysmoran). regardless of expertise. I truely don't know how they can get around that issue except the info is free via the internet. Just takes a little research.
I'm not gonna 2nd guess 'Orest' but as I've said, I ain't buying the current M5-A1 Bayonets eiither.
I certainly do not want to cause any problems for the CMP as it is a great program which I fully support. As I said, Orest freely offered to allow me to come to Anniston and sort the bayonets as well as continue my own research. I did not in any way expect payment, and my inability to take him up on this was a combination of health issues, getting time off work, and financial issues. Orest correctly stated where these bayonets came from, and was good enough to post the information from the packing cases, so there is certainly no attempt to cover up any information. He cannot be expected to know all of the little ins and outs that make a bayonet collector interested, and even after 50 years of dealing with these, I still do not have all of the answers.
I am dismayed to read the long thread on the CMP forum about these bayonets, and see the comments of so many people who seem to feel they have been lied to or otherwise defrauded. I guess I should join that forum and comment there also, but I don't want to add fuel to the fire.
From the box markings, the bayonets in question were supplied to Greece under one of the War Aid programs, and were ordered for that purpose in 1976 apparently from MilPar Col. Yes, this was well past the time that the US needed them for issue to US troops. The same thing happened with the M4 bayonets ordered from Connetta/BrenDan in the late 1960s. When a requirement for items was sent, if stock was not available contracts were issued to fill the order, and that is what apparently happened here. So these M5A1 bayonets were purchased on contract from the US military, but not for US military use.
As there are many thousands of bayonets, there may well be other contracts or regular US issue items yet to be placed on sale. I will look forward to seeing what else may turn up down the road.
As a note, the scabbards apparently were taken from US stock and appear to be standard M8A1 as manufactured on contract in 1969 by Philadelphia Working Home for the Blind.
Bayonetman,
Thanks for this great infomation! My guess is if it had been included with the CMP sales info there wouldn't have been such an uproar. I think if an item is described as "USGI" everyone expects it to have the USGI markings all over it and when these showed up without the DoD stampings that lit the fuse for all the comments on the internet about these bayonets! I suppose IF they DID have the DoD stamps on them the prices would be higher? I appreciate the clarification that you have provided, it's unfortunate the CMP didn't include it with their sales descriptions it would have saved a lot of grief, me thinks. Thanks, Bob B.
Anyone familiar with the M5A1 and M4 bayonets and M8 bayonet scabbards being sold by CDNNinvestments? A friend of mine bought one M5A1 and one M4 along with two M8 scabbards. The M5A1 arrived in a long plastice ziplock bag with a slip of paper enclosed stating "repacked 7/86. The maker was marked AKI I believe. The M4 bayonet was similarly packaged but with no "repack date". Both M8 scabbards came packaged similarly with a slip of paper enclosed stating the manufacturer to be Atlantic Textile Company with a date of 6/77. Are these USGI in origin or are they "genuine" reproductions? I don't know squat about bayonets - I also need a copy of Bayonetman's book. Opinions? Thanks.
Fwiw..
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It seems like it would have been a good idea...............
Originally Posted by Bob - The Beagle Master
