I have been told that the M3 CASE and M8AI is original, but the shaft is clearly not.

Anybody want to confirm that the blade is a real original? Sure looks like it at least.

And if so, what would you consider the worth to be? 

Thank you in advance :)

 

PS! I can take more pictures on request. 

It looks like a legit US M3 that was converted to a bayonet to fit the H&K G3 infantry rifle that was adopted by Norway during the cold war. Your M8A1 scabbard is a standard Norwegian made copy of the US M8A1 (note the font of the markings and the Norway "crown" property mark). The Norwegian scabbards are scarce in the US, but not rare. They will bring about $50 in good condition. The converted bayonet is not common, I think it is worth maybe $100-$150 or so. It is interesting, but not as desirable to US collectors. It might be worth a bit more to a Norwegian collector. 

29 minutes ago, Slufstuff said:

 Your M8A1 scabbard is a standard Norwegian made copy of the US M8A1 (note the font of the markings and the Norway "crown" property mark). The Norwegian scabbards are scarce in the US, but not rare. They will bring about $50 in good condition. The converted bayonet is not common, I think it is worth maybe $100-$150 or so. It is interesting, but not as desirable to US collectors. It might be worth a bit more to a Norwegian collector. 

 

Thank you so much for your input. It was very helpful. So you think its safe to say that the M3 is 100% autentic?

I find it very important to make sure that it is, before considering selling it to the right collector, most likely in Norway. 

Even if it looks original, i got a little insecure, since the shaft is plastic / composite and not original. Don`t want to promote something real, that turns out to be a fake replica or something. That would not look good.

Stefan- I saw one of these years ago, made from an M3 trench knife.  What do you mean by the "shaft" ?  Are you talking about the "tang" that runs through the handle. Don't recall  the term of shaft before.  Please clarify. Thanks.  SKIP

10 minutes ago, SKIPH said:

Stefan- I saw one of these years ago, made from an M3 trench knife.  What do you mean by the "shaft" ?  Are you talking about the "tang" that runs through the handle. Don't recall  the term of shaft before.  Please clarify. Thanks.  SKIP

 

Thank you for the input, SKIP.

Sorry, i may have invented my own term here 😂 You see, in Norway we have the word " kniv skaft" or just "skaft" that referes to the "handle" of something, in this case " kniv skaft"  means "knife handle".

I guess i thought that "skaft" translated to "scaft" in English or something, and that it was a common word outside of Norway too, but i guess not.

 

At least i got to teach a cool Norwegian word :)

On 6/25/2025 at 5:24 PM, Stefan said:

 

Thank you so much for your input. It was very helpful. So you think its safe to say that the M3 is 100% autentic?

I find it very important to make sure that it is, before considering selling it to the right collector, most likely in Norway. 

Even if it looks original, i got a little insecure, since the shaft is plastic / composite and not original. Don`t want to promote something real, that turns out to be a fake replica or something. That would not look good.

IMO it is a legit US M3 blade. Below is another thread from a different forum. It does not have a lot of new info, but a number of pictures of additional Norwegian converted M3 knives.

Norway converted M3 thread another forum

On 6/27/2025 at 2:59 AM, Slufstuff said:

IMO it is a legit US M3 blade. Below is another thread from a different forum. It does not have a lot of new info, but a number of pictures of additional Norwegian converted M3 knives.

Norway converted M3 thread another forum

Thank you for confirming, and for the link. Very interesting.