M9 Bayonet and variations

The M9 Bayonet and current Blades

The current issue US bayonet for the M16 rifle although relatively new it already has a substantial number of variations both official and commercial. I present a limited selection of those available from my collection for more information please see http://www.m9bayonet.com/, which has a lot of information on the issue blades and their variations.

PRODUCTION ITEMS
	Phrobis M9
	Ontario made M9
	Early production LanCay M9 LanCay mark, other variations of the marking exist LANCAY, LAN-CAY etc. these help identify period of manufacture Later serrations have rounded base to serration Early scabbards had built in sharpening stone Scabbard shows large differences from later ones, with a double set of tie down areas, and the lack of a textured grip area when using as wire cutter This blade came with original 1994 issue storage bag.

COMMEMORATIVE ITEMS
	One of 75 M9 bayonets made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Bayonet Collectors Network (BCN). Made by original manufacturer with a custom cut logo Bayonet uses the latest ergonomic grips and not the early circular hilt of the first M9's Custom stitched pouch with BCN name BCN log and Xth anniversary mark Made by Lan-Cay Even comes with notes added to issue M9 bayonets
	M9 collectors model with etchings showing the 4 units attached to SOCOM in Iraq.
	M9 commemorative made for Iraqi Freedom Number 430 of 500 made Ontario Knife Company initials in the hilt Presidential seal on the opposite grip Standard Military marks on ricasso With additional blade etching "sand" coloured scabbard matches hilt Engraved scabbard Ontario Knife company logo on the throat of the scabbard Frog is disimilar to other M9's with a long strap, although it has the bianchi catch

COMMERCIAL ITEMS
	BUCK M9
	BUCK M9
	BUCK M9
	The M9 can be found in several colours as well as several variations, some obvious and some not so obvious. This single current blade can form the basis of a large and potentially expensive collection all to itself. Although all sold as "issue" blades, further research shows them all to be commercial blades, no less collectable but not what they seem. It shows that one should research your purchases and not always take the sellers statement as fact, though it may not be deliberate mis representation.
	Sold as an M9 for rescue services, the orange colour being to make it easy to find in low visibility or smokey condition.
	The white variation is supposedly for winter troops, the blade M9 bark is the same on both the white and orange versions
	This is sold as the blade used in the marine trials which eventually ended with the USMC using the OKCS bayonet This is the correct style Molle II scabbard as used on the trials bayonet, different from the more normal Bianchi mounted scabbards Webbing includes a fabric pouch for the wire cutter and a crossguard strap to aid retention Other research has indicated that the blade markings are incorrect, and there should be USMC and the anchor marks on the ricasso and not USA
	M9 Utility, another blade for for commercial sale before the military issues became available US marking on left ricasso M9 Utility on right ricasso Sharpening stone was standard on early bayonets Original round hilt belt clip
	Commercial by Lan Cay with Airborne logo on the ricasso, made for collectors, these are not made specifically for the units they are marked for, no matter what people say.
	Not only are there commercial bayonets (or in this case a fighting/utility knife) there is a thriving after market//commercial scabbard production. Usually sold as special forces etc. many of these scabbards are interesting but the bulk and "extras" would be of little use to a military unit. this blade also has an airborne etching.
	Another airborne commercial
	Commercial bayonets can be found in a multitude of colours, like this forest cammo variation. All use standard LanCay M9 blades, molds and scabbards so all parts are completely interchangeable and any version can be pieced together
	Grey splinter camouflage
	Plane grey
	This one has a USMC ricasso etching
	And for Airsoft shooters there is a rubber version
	Taiwanese commercial made M9 by Medrano, these are quality copies for use not as a toy
	M11 EOD (explosives, ordinance, demolition) knife made by Lan-Cay, fitted with after market aluminium knuckle duster grips Part of the M11 package is a large utility pouch attached to the scabbard blade markings quick open pouch holds primer crimp tool, Gerber multipurpose tool and mag litre pouch is substantial After market knuckles replaced original handle, reputedly made for issue to USMC but these are not official issue quick release buckle attaches scabbard to the belt
	Copy of the US M9 bayonet made in Taiwan but has the Buckmaster style serrated blade Uses the old style scabbard with a built in sharpening stone as on the early M9's Made by Medrano, there are 2 other version of this available with the normal sawback and the M9 style point or a Bowie point more similar to UK blades Bianchi style belt clip, and front mounted ammo pouch are all from early M9 production

OKC3S

Ontario made bayonet for the US marines, having a composite scabbard.

USMC moulded into the hilt

other side has USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor

unlike the M9 this blade has no wire cutter or sawback, rather it has a serrated area immediately in front of the crossguard. the blade is very sharp from the factory on both edges

makers mark