Description
Korean War Imperial M5 bayonet for M1 Garand, original VP M8A1 composition scabbard. Scarce early DAS-marked M5 type in rare UNUSED condition.
Original Korean War era M5 bayonet manufactured circa 1953 by Imperial Knife Co. Imperial was the very first contractor to be awarded the first DOD contract for the M5 manufacture. The first batch of M5 went into service and straight into combat in 1953, but the original M5 was short-lived. Due to the issue with the latch, the re-designed M5A1 was instituted and immediately went into production the following year. The M5 and its variants were the first US battle rifle bayonet that was made almost entirely of cold-stamped parts, which greatly reduced costs and simplified its manufacturing.
This early M5 specimen is in rare y unused condition with original finish and factory edge. This M5 is about 11-1/4″ / 28.5 cm overall; blued blade is about 6-3/8″ / 16 cm long. Original factory edge is fairly sharp still; the tip is intact. Ricasso is unmarked as intended; the guard is stamped U.S. M5 on one side, IMPERIAL the other with a small Defense Acceptance Stamp (DAS) “eagle” stamp near the edge. Black plastic handle grips are tight and in near-perfect condition; bayonet release mechanism is excellent and 100% functional; all handle parts are solid with no play. Original WW2 era M8A1 composition scabbard was made by Victory Plastics – USM8A1 / V.P. CO stamp on the unpainted “gun-gray” steel throat. The scabbard is in excellent overall condition; no spots or stains on the webbing or oxidation/rust around brass snaps and rivets; all parts are intact. This original Korean War Imperial M5 bayonet is hard-to-find this nice and complete nowadays; don’t miss your chance to add it to your collection!
These are the actual photos; Garand clips are not included with the bayonet 
I have a few more 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.
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USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. WILL BE $18 FOR THIS ITEM, SIGN-FOR DELIVERY CONFIRMATION INCLUDED.
No international shipping for this item, sorry.
