One question I have always been meaning to ask is when were the M3 onwards scabbards supposed to be painted? Was it strictly at an overhaul/repair stage, or was it a field requirement?

 

See very few M3 scabbards these days with original grey parkerized metal tops and factory OD scabbard bodies - nearly all I encounter have OD painted metal and bodies. Was this considered a reuirement for further camouflage, and expected to be field/depot applied before use, and also as a further rust preventative?

 

Even most of the Vietnam era M1917 scabbards I see have been OD'd - either well done like a spray, or sloppy brushed.

 

I have one spare well-used M3 at the moment, where you can see original parkerizing topped with a layer of red oxide primer then an OD thick over coat.

 

All the Beckwith scabbards were eventually subjected to a vigorous painting campaign.  If it needed it, it was painted.  If it did not need painting, but was in a batch that was being painted....it was painted.  It was done at any and every level.  If they had paint, it was painted. 

Marv