M8A1 Scabbard Reproduction - BOLO

[bayonetman]

Thanks to a collector who keeps his eyes open, I have been informed of a new reproduction M8A1 scabbard being sold on Ebay.

 

Normally most collectors catch these, but this is the first one I have seen marked B.M.CO.

 

In the photo, the top one is a real one, the lower is the repro.

 

Note the size of the B.M.CO. mark, the smoothness of the scabbard body, and the direction the grip retaining strap crosses.

 

Just giving a Be On Look Out to the newer collectors especially.

 

[SKIPH]

Gary, thanks for showing this! WOW! The belt loop looks nylon, M1910 belt hook looks wrong, and the scabbard lower tip is longer, and comes more to a point, and the color is wrong. SKIP

[sactroop]

I first saw those a few years ago now. In this case the seller was asking the going price for other reproduction M8 scabbards like the S.W.I. marked scabbards. I published pictures back then but honestly now can't remember if it was here or on another forum. I'm pretty sure these are out of the Pacific rim somewhere, no big surprise, I think Korean, but really not sure.

 

 

Left to right; original, B.M. copy, and infamous WP marked M8A1.

 

It doesn't take too much practice to spot injection molded plastic bodies, and that should be the first red flag that goes up. I'm also seeing injection molded plastic bodies with fake VP mold marks on them.

 

 

 

 

Top is original; You can see the reenforcing fibers in the cut notch from manufacturing.

 

Bottom is reproduction; The injection molding has the notch created during the molding process and no fiber is added to the plastic.

[kilgarvan]

Thanks guys! Are these repos being pawned off as originals or just being used by reenactors?

[bayonetman]

Thanks guys! Are these repos being pawned off as originals or just being used by reenactors?

It can go either way. The one shown was sold on ebay as:

 

Collectibles > Militaria > WWII (1939-45) > Original Period Items > United States > Edged Weapons

US M8A1 B.M.Co. Scabbard

This scabbard is in near new condition with light wear in the black paint on the brass snap.

 

So whether the seller knew it was a reproduction or not is the question. He sells mostly books on guns and has sold a few military items, but that does not prove that he knows enough to recognize a reproduction.