M3

clem · November 19, 2002, 03:11 PM

Can anyone tell me about a "M3 Imperial" knife? It looks like a bayonet blade parkarized with a leather handle. There is also a ordance bursting bomb on the hilt.
I came across it and me being a retired leatherneck, I'm use to K-Bars, it's got me wondering.
Thanks.

Gomez · November 19, 2002, 03:25 PM

I can't tell you about that particular M3 (collector's value, maker, etc. but this ain't Antiques Roadshow

), but I can tell you that the M3 was the successor to the M2 and the same blade that you see on the M3 was utilized on the M4- M7 bayonets. The blades were all the same. The bayonet fittings (cross guard and pommel) were unique on each model. The stacked leather washer handles became black bakelite plastic along the way. The M7 was the issue bayonet with the M16s until the new M9 whoopdido superknife was issued. My uncle, who served in WWII brought several M3s home with him and we used them in the workshop and yard until he died a few years ago. They still reside in a place of honour on his workbench in the garage.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

clem · November 19, 2002, 09:11 PM

Paul,
Thanks...that's what I needed to know....

November 19, 2002, 03:11 PM	#1
clem Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 847	M3 Can anyone tell me about a "M3 Imperial" knife? It looks like a bayonet blade parkarized with a leather handle. There is also a ordance bursting bomb on the hilt. I came across it and me being a retired leatherneck, I'm use to K-Bars, it's got me wondering. Thanks.

November 19, 2002, 03:25 PM	#2
Gomez Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 297	I can't tell you about that particular M3 (collector's value, maker, etc. but this ain't Antiques Roadshow), but I can tell you that the M3 was the successor to the M2 and the same blade that you see on the M3 was utilized on the M4- M7 bayonets. The blades were all the same. The bayonet fittings (cross guard and pommel) were unique on each model. The stacked leather washer handles became black bakelite plastic along the way. The M7 was the issue bayonet with the M16s until the new M9 whoopdido superknife was issued. My uncle, who served in WWII brought several M3s home with him and we used them in the workshop and yard until he died a few years ago. They still reside in a place of honour on his workbench in the garage. Hope this answers some of your questions. __________________ "Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it." --Kruger & Dunning

November 19, 2002, 09:11 PM	#3
clem Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 847	Paul, Thanks...that's what I needed to know....