USA original WW2 Utica M4 bayonet, early “6 grooves handle” type, original M8A1 scabbard

Description WW2 Utica M4 bayonet – scarce early “6 grooves handle” type, original M8A1 Victory Plastics Beckwith Mfg Co composition scabbard. An attractive WW-II era M4 specimen in great overall condition, considering the age. FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM! Original WW2 era M1 carbine M4 bayonet manufactured by Utica Cutlery in Utica, NY. This is scarce early “6 grooves handle” Utica M4 variant; it comes with the original issue M8A1 composition scabbard in excellent condition. This original WW2 era M4 bayonet type is hard-to-find this nice as most had seen heavy use during  the war. Also, many tens of  thousands of M4s were refurbished after WW2 and used extensively during the war in Korea; many more were transferred to the member countries’ militaries after the NATO block was established. During the WW2 years Utica has manufactured about 515,000 M4 bayonets, however only a fraction of original WW2 era specimens survived in collectable grades. The M4 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 popular with the troops and were used expensively in all theaters of the war. See the WW2 era photo of similar M4 bayonets on US 17th Airborne Division troops firing the M18 recoilless rifle at German positions somewhere around Essen, Germany. On the second WW2 ear photo taken past the Siegfried line in Germany one can clearly see that US M1 carabines did not come with a lug under the barrel to attach a bayonet. These photos are used as a reference only and will not be included with the lot. This M4 is about 11-5/8” / 29.5 cm overall; parkerized finish blade is about 6-7/8″ / 17.3 cm long. The blade has been gently re-sharpened; the edge is very sharp still, a few tiny edge bumps are noted for accuracy; the tip is intact. Rare early-production “6 grooves” type handle; all stacked leather washers are excellent; parkerized steel muzzle ring and pommel are intact. The guard/muzzle ring is marked with the “flaming bomb” US ordinance mark and U.S. M4 / UTICA stamp on the top. The pommel is excellent with no contact marks; bayonet lock/release is 100% functional; all parts are tight with no play. Original M8A1 scabbard is in excellent overall condition. The webbing is intact and rust-free; all original stitching, wire belt hanger, and keeper are intact. This scabbard was manufactured by Beckwith Mfg Co. (BM CO.) division of Victory Plastics. This original WW2 Utica M4 bayonet and M8A1 composition scabbard are in 100% serviceable condition still; this type is scarce this nice. These are the actual photos; spent brass is not included with the bayonet  I have a few more WW2 US-made bayonets, as well as some scarce WW1 and WW2 era fighting daggers and trench knives made in the US, Great Britain, France, Germany, and other countries available for sale – please take a look in the Militaria section. For collectible knives and edged weapons Argocoins accepts payments via credit cards, personal checks drawn from US-based accounts, certified US-based bank checks, and money orders. Take a look at the Payments section within our Terms and Conditions for mailing instructions and additional details. Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to make a credit card purchase over the phone. Follow me on Facebook @argoman400BC to keep an eye on the latest additions and promotions. FREE USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM No shipping to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, or the UK/Ireland for this item, sorry. International shipping to  other countries for this item will be $67 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list.