JimD Posted September 7, 2017 Share #1 Posted September 7, 2017 I bought a pile of M8A1 scabbards and reproduction fighting knives, etc., at an estate for the purpose of putting them on my table at the next local militaria show here in Arizona. I saw this scabbard and tossed it in the pile as a make-weight because it looked unusual. I believe it is for the last bayonet made for the M1 Garand, the M-5, M5-1 and the M-5A1. It measures just under 12 inches long and the undersides of both snaps are marked with faint letters but I am having a difficult time making them out. DOT? According to page 311, The Best of U. S. Military Knives by Cole : This M5 Leather Scabbard is said to be very rare only 3 or 4 of these are in well known collections. Note: One well known collector dealer thinks these M-5 scabbards may not a be military item, but commercial. Any opinions of what I have here? Is this really an obscure item? Fantasy piece? Should it be in a collection or in a fishing tackle box in the garage? Whatever it is it has the feel of a 40-50 year old leather piece with nice wear and no real "leather smell". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted September 7, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted September 7, 2017 Share #3 Posted September 7, 2017 To my knowledge these were a commercially made scabbard for knives made up from leftover contract parts. I have, what is called, an M5 fighting knife made up of Milpar M5 bayonet blade, guard, and plastic grip, but never completed w/ latching lever, gas plug stud etc. Supposedly these scabbards were made for those knives, mine came w/ an M8A1. Keep the scabbard, they're cool, and you can use it for anything from an M3 through M7. They were not made for issue w/ an M-5 bayonet. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted September 7, 2017 Thanks Skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted September 7, 2017 Share #5 Posted September 7, 2017 Yes it is a DOT snap. Also somebody someday is going to want to talk to you seriously about that sheath they are going to want for there orphaned knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted September 7, 2017 And I will listen........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted September 7, 2017 Share #7 Posted September 7, 2017 I wonder if this could be a sheath for the MILPAR aluminum handled knife based on the M5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted September 7, 2017 Share #8 Posted September 7, 2017 Bill- Could be! Coles has a pic in "The Best Of", of the M5 Combat Knife, like the one I have. I could see the aluminum handled MILPAR w/ one. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted September 8, 2017 Share #9 Posted September 8, 2017 Skip is right about these so-called M-5 knives probably being commercial knives made up from leftover parts. They are indeed very scarce, as Mr. Cole mentioned, but they are not strictly USGI. I would classify them as Vietnam era private purchase knives. Here is the example I have had in my collection for years. It is a Utica made blade. And the page from Coles III on these blades: Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted September 8, 2017 Share #10 Posted September 8, 2017 Mine looks like the middle one in Coles line drawing. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groserm Posted April 21, 2020 Share #11 Posted April 21, 2020 I picked up one of these M-5 leather sheaths the other day. I thought it was a fantasy piece too. It came with a WW2 Case knife. I just wanted the knife. I may put it up on the trade forum. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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