The US M-42 bayonet was made for the M1 Garand, and also fits the M-1903 Springfield. The original design had a 16″ blade, but most were cut down to 10″ in 1943. This is a reproduction of the original 16″ length below the rifle. My original unissued bayonet from 1943 is attached to the rifle.
BudK
https://www.budk.com/product/M1-Garand
File this one under go figure. I am a big fan of the knife importer BudK and I was really excited when I saw that they are importing a reproduction of the Model 1942 US bayonet that was originally made for the M1 Garand, and that also fits the M1903 Springfield. The original length bayonets are hard to find, and when you find them in good condition they are often priced in the $200 range. For someone who just wants a cool original looking bayonet for their Garand, the BudK bayonet looked to be at great buy at $29.99. I thought this article would turn into a discussion of the possibility to make one of these into a real looking fake, but what a dissapointment. The bayonet doesn’t even fit the bayonet lug on a Garand, and it is overall cheaper looking and feeling than anyone would want.
The scabbard, left, is very close to my original M1942 scabbard made for the cut down originals.
When the Model 1942 was first made, the blade was 16″ long. In 1943 the government decided that the bayonets were too long, so they cut the already made ones down to 10″, more like the 9.5 German Mauser bayonet. These cut down bayonets are very common in unissued condition generally at cheap prices. It is easy to recognize them because the “blood groove goes all the way to the tip. They were cut down to below the top of the groove.
The replica matches up really well in the handle and the scabbard is excellent, but that is pretty much where the merits end. The blade itself is crudely stamped from steel that just doesn’t feel right, and instead of being parkerized like an original it is black blued, or perhaps even painted. The button release is loose and scratchy, unlike the original that even at 70 years old is still tight and smooth.
The blade markings are close to the original as well.
Worse, the bayonet doesn’t fit the lug on any of my Garands or Springfields. As you can see from the pictures, I even sunk the bayonet into a palm tree a couple inches with a full force stab in hopes of getting the bayonet to click in. It didn’t work. I had to hammer it off of course, but didn’t need to push the button.
The M1 Garand may still be the best battle implement ever made, which were Gereral Patton’s comments about the rifle. It would be nice to be able to buy an affordable original length bayonet for it. This one, however, is a definate stay away. You could file inside the notch, and since I’m stuck with this one due to my abuse of it I will probably try that, but I wouldn’t bother buying one unless you want to take that chance. Maybe BudK will read this and have it made correctly. If they do we’ll let you know.
The 16″ blade has the correct blood groove that went all the way to the tip on the cut down originals.
But even after pounding with a padded hammer and thrusting the top of the bayonet into a palm tree full force, the bayonet would not click into the rifle.
Even with a good deal of force, this is as far as it would go.
The handles and locking mechanism look identical. They just blew it.
The bayonet scored the finish on the bayonet lug, so you may not want to try this at home. This is one of my undocumented Garands.
The button release was also loose and scratchy, unlike the 70 year old original. It is a real shame.
The bayonet looks good too me but it’s not the real thing.
Sounds like the bayonet is really a piece of junk and not worth having! It might make a good set line weight for fishing. Thanks for warning us about it! I’ll pass!
I purchased a M1 Garand from Civilian Marksmanship program about 5 years ago. Last month I purchased the 16″ Bayonet for my Garand. It is a Chinese reproduction but looks exactly like an original. I placed it on my rifle and it fit perfectly. I ordered it from MilitarySurplus.com. I am offering this information in case anyone wants to replace the one that doesn’t fit.
this is not a correct website link. MilitarySurplus.com is a dead domain.
You obviously do not have knowledge of the Springfield bayonet. Read information referring to the GENEVA Convention and the outcome for all participants of WW I, WW 2, Korean, etc. which effected arms of all “cooperating” nations. In other words, it has much more to do with discomfort and or weight, etc..
I have my dad’s original issued M42 bayonet with scabbard from when he was assigned a 1903 Springfield during his Navy service in the Pacific in 1943. He was a motor machinist mate on a many LSTs, LCMs and LSIs. He was issued a Springfield to shoot down any low flying enemy aircraft while the coxswain would pilot the boat ashore dropping Marines off on their island landings. The bayonet as in this article here fit both the Springfields and the Garands. The knife, made by Union Fork and Hoe (UFH) has 1943 stamp on its heel guard (ricasso). It’s nice to have a piece of living history and knowing the actual person who carried this throughout his time in the service and has passed it down to me and later will go to my son.
It makes a nice mate when it is fixed onto my M1 Garand made from 1941.
I bought one and had the same problem with it not fitting the rifle.
Yeah, I got one of these too. Mine also won’t fit on the Garand’s bayonet lug. The inside dimensions are just a bit too small. I suppose I will have to try a file of dremmel tool to open it up.
I’m glad that it doesn’t easily attach to the rifle, it will save some new bayonet collector a ton of money. Why? Because these new reproductions coming out are a way for unscrupulous individuals to rip people off by passing this on as genuine. These guys have to at a minimum invest in a phosphate tank and have to do some work to age it if they want to get this past a seasoned collector. I’m glad it isn’t a 100% authentic reproduction – yeah I know there are some that would love a perfect specimen, in this case I’m glad it was off USGI specs.
These old, ancient eyes always spy “The China-Man” at his best, (which is really THE WORST!”
Notice how The China-Man always scrimps in dimensions of critical parts. Look at the locking mechanism in the handle pic.
Yep-“off” by quite a bit. That’s the way these Oriental “craftsmen” think: “Shave a 1/4 oz here and a 1/4 oz there, save a yuan here and there…”
BALONEY! The U.S. made bayonets are made to last; made and tested in combat–no place for Mr. Cheap nor The China-Man.
NEVER buy cheap boots, firearms or knives–you life may depend on it one day.
‘Nuff said.
I’ve no doubt that they make good stuff for the PLA, but they sure don’t export any to the American Capitalist Pigs and Their Running Dogs … yada, yada, etc, etc — lol. Happy to buy decent stuff from the Taiwanese when they offer it, but as for the Reds on the Mainland, I judiciously avoid giving the SOBs the money, and will gladly buy a substitute from somewhere else, even when it costs twice the price. And if that means saving up $200 for an original bayonet, and avoiding 2/3 of Wal-Mart’s inventory, so be it. 🙂
Save the trees use a dremel every man should have a dremel.