Description
Rare US Navy attributed WW2 era “short” M1 bayonet and original M7 composition scabbard for US M1 Garand with handle grips marked with an anchor on one side and USS MARTS DE 174 on the other. Courtesy of Wikipedia: USS Marts (DE-174) was the WW2 era Cannon-class destroyer escort launched in August 1943. She served admirably as an escort and U-boat hunter-killer during the war in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. At the end of the hostilities in Europe in the summer of 1945 she was transferred to the Brazilian Navy where she served until her retirement in 1975. This bayonet was probably issued to the guard-duty sailors on board of USS Marts; undoubtedly one of very few that existed in the first place – a great find!
This is a typical so-called pattern M1942 “short pattern” bayonets of the era – on original M1905 bayonet’ 16″ blade was cut-down to about 10″ during the pre-war. This specimen was originally made by Utica Cutlery in 1942: AC / U.S. “flaming bomb” mark / 1942 date on ricasso on one side. Re-manufacturing was done by United Fork and Hoe Company circa 1943: UFH and a rare short-lived Ordnance Escutcheon (wheel with cannons) stamp on ricasso’s other side. This “wheel” Ordnance Escutcheon represents the Ordnance final inspection; the stamp was used for just a few months and was quickly abandoned in favor of a simplified, war-expedient manufacturing process.
The bayonet is in rare practically unused condition; original factory edge on the blade; the tip is intact; about 95% of the original parkerized finish remaining. Muzzle ring and polished black plastic handle grips are excellent; the pommel is nice and problem-free. Bayonet release mechanism is tight & 100% functional. The bayonet is about 14-1/2″ / 37 cm overall; the blade is about 9-7/8″ / 25 cm long. Original M7 composition scabbard was made by Victory Plastics – scabbard is marked B4/9N on the underside plate; steel throat is marked with US “flaming-bomb” ordinance mark.
Overall, this rare US-Navy attributed WW2 American 1942 UC Utica M1 bayonet USS Marts and M7 scabbard are in excellent condition overall; VERY rare type. The set is in 100% serviceable condition still; it will be a welcome addition to any collection!
The set has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, 100% original condition; these are the actual photos. We have several scarce WW1 and WW2 fighting daggers and trench knives available for sale – please take a look in our Militaria section.
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