Don't expect any great revelations from me, I am just as much in the dark as the rest of you.

 

Some years back I exchanged some emails with an ex-employee of Eickhorn. He stated that Eickhorn had a number of bad financial times, and if I remember correctly, they have gone bankrupt a couple of times. He said that when times were a little hard, they were told to assemble any combination of parts that were in the bins, as long as it would fit something and could be sold. Also they wanted the cheapest assembly which led to the use of the spot welds holding the guard on.

 

At one time I had 7 different M7s that had different combinations of markings and assemblies. I don't know that any of them were legitimate US issue.

 

I THINK that the legitimate Colt contract for US issue had the W. Germany markings, the bar holding the guard in place, a slightly sloping near 90 degree runout, grips without the part numbers and a smooth tang peen.

 

Personally I would not consider a M7 to be US issue unless I had proof that it came from a US surplus sale. I had the opportunity awhile back to go through nearly 3,000 M7s from a government disposal, and there were NO Colts in the group. I have contacted some of the surplus dealers that have bought quantities from sales and they also say that they either never find a Colt or it is VERY rarely found. I don't know where they all went but they are very uncommon in the service sales.

Gary- Appreciate the response. You confirmed my suspicions. It's pretty much a mixed bag when it comes to Eichorn. Unlike US makers post-war, at least there were indicators on the blades produced, ground off stampings, M4 guards w/ M3 pommels, and a variety of other indicators. I can remember Eichorn blades selling for $10-$12 in the 70's & 80's. They'd have 20 variations, from a plastic handled M3, to a 10" bladed M7, most in plumb color, and everything in between. Anyway, I thank you for your input. The puzzle pieces are fitting together. Gotta go to work. SKIP