M7 bayonet
| M7 Bayonet | |
|---|---|
 M7 Bayonet & M8A1 Sheath | |
| Type | Bayonet |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1964–present |
| Used by | US Military |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1944 forM4 bayonet |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Produced | 1964–present |
| No.built | ~3 million |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 11.75 in (29.8 cm) |
| Blade length | 6.75 in (17.1 cm) |
| Bladetype | Spear Point |
| Scabbard/sheath | M8, M8A1, & M10 |
TheM7 bayonet(NSN 1095-00-017-9701) is abayonetthat was used by theU.S. militaryfor theM16 rifle,it can also be used with theM4 carbineas well as many otherassault rifles,carbines,andcombat shotguns.It can be used as afighting knifeand utility tool. It was introduced in 1964, when theM16 rifleentered service during theVietnam War.[1]
Description
[edit]
The M7 bayonet is very similar to the olderM4 bayonetwith the Korean War era plastic grips for the M1/M2 carbines except that the M7 has a much larger muzzle ring. The M7 has the same two-lever locking mechanism as the M4, that connects to a lug on the M16 rifle's barrel. TheM4(M1/M2 carbine),M5(M1 rifle), andM6 bayonet(M14 rifle), are all derived from the World War IIM3 fighting knife.
The M7 differs fromM6 bayonetfor theM14 rifle.[2]Most notably, the diameter of the muzzle rings, and the locking mechanism. The M7's release mechanism is on thepommel,while the M6 has a spring-loaded lever near the guard that when depressed releases the bayonet. Both models are approximately the same length, have the same black finish, and use the M8A1 (NSN 1095-508-0339), or later M10 (NSN 1095-00-223-7164)sheath.
The M7's 1095 carbon steel blade is 6.75 in (17.1 cm) long, with an overall length of 11.75 in (29.8 cm). Blade width is 0.1875 in (0.476 cm) and it weighs about 9.6 oz (270 g). One edge is sharpened its full length while the opposite side of the blade has approximately 3 in (7.6 cm) sharpened. There are no markings on the blade itself. The manufacturer's initials or name, along with "US M7", will be found stamped under the crossguard (see photo, right). The non-slip grips are molded black plastic. The steel parts have a uniform dark grey/black parkerized finish.
The M7 bayonetNSNis NSN 1095-00-017-9701. The initial contractor was Bauer Ord Company. Colt (manufacturer of the M16) and Ontario Knife Company made many of the M7 bayonets for the military and continue to make and sell them commercially. Other manufacturers included Carl Eickhorn [for Colt], Columbus Milpar & Mfg. (MIL-PAR), Conetta Mfg., Frazier Mfg., General Cutlery (GEN CUT),Ontario Knife Company,and Imperial Knife. The M7 was also manufactured inCanada,West Germany,thePhilippines,Singapore,Israel,South Korea,andAustralia.
The M7 has been partially replaced with theM9 bayonetby theUnited States Army,and theUnited States Marine Corpsreplaced it with theOKC-3S bayonet.The Army, Navy, and USAF still use M7s and may do so for many years.
M8 and M8A1 Scabbard
[edit]There are two variations of this scabbard, both with an olive drab fiberglass body with steel throat. The early version M8 scabbard only a had a belt loop and lacked the double hook that earlier bayonet scabbards had for attaching to load carrying equipment such as theM1910 Haversack.The improved M8A1 scabbard manufactured later in WWII has the M1910 bent wire hook. The scabbard throat flange is stamped "US M8" or "US M8A1" on the flat steel part along with manufacturer initials. Some M8 scabbards were later modified by adding the M1910 hook. Later M8A1 scabbards were manufactured with a modified extended tab on the web hanger to provide more clearance for the M5 bayonet which rubbed against the wider bayonet handle.[3]This sheath is correct for all post-war US bayonets including theM4,M5,M6,and M7. It was also used with theM3 fighting knife.
Exploded view
[edit]
| Bayonet-Knife M7 | Item number |
|---|---|
| Screw, Machine, Grip | 1 |
| Washer, Lock | 2 |
| Grip, Bayonet-Knife, LH | 3 |
| Grip, Bayonet-Knife, RH | 4 |
| Blade Assembly M7 | 5 |
| Pin, Spring | 6 |
| Lever, Lock-Release, LH | 7 |
| Lever, Lock-Release, RH | 8 |
| Spring, Helical, Compression | 9 |
See also
[edit]- FN FNC
- M3 fighting knife
- M4 bayonetused by theM1 carbine
- M5 bayonetused by theM1 Garand
- M6 bayonetused by theM14 rifle
- M9 bayonetused by theM16 rifleandM4 carbine
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
References
[edit]- ^Phillips, Russell (21 June 2011).This We'll Defend: The Weapons and Equipment of the U.S. Army.Shilka Publishing. p. 10.ISBN978-1-4581-0420-5.
- ^Rottman, Gordon (2011).The M16.Osprey Publishing. p. 49.ISBN978-1-84908-690-5.
- ^Cunningham, Gary (April 2004)."Notes on the M8A1 Scabbard".Bayonet Points.Retrieved2024-08-05.
External links
[edit]- Cobb, Ralph E. (2011)."M5 & M6 Bayonets (U.S. & Foreign), U.S. M7 Bayonets, M8, M8A1, & M10 Scabbards".World Bayonets.com.