M5A1 (Converted) Fighting Knife

This is a genuine Vietnam War Era U.S. Army M5A1 bayonet and fighting knife for the M1 Garand rifle. Produced in the 1960s, these were the last official U.S. issued bayonets made for the venerable long rifle. It comes complete with an original, privately-purchased or (left-over from WW2) Camillus NY-made leather scabbard that is in wonderful condition. The cross guard is cicely marked U.S. M5A1 / MILPAR COL on the blade side of the cross guard. This indications manufacture by by the Columbus Milpar and Manufacturing Co., Columbus, OH.. They manufactured these bayonets concurrently with M6 bayonets for the M14 rifle they were producing, and they later made M7 bayonets for the M16 rifle. All of these used the same basic blade design, with different grips and attaching hardware. The bayonet has an excellent narrowed, stilletto-shaped blade with traces of the original phosphate finish, and is still nice and bright. The bayonet has a leather, almost suede-like brushed grip, which is in great shape. This is a wonderful, unique example of wartime field conversion, possibly by and for a special ops member from the Vietnam War.