Post-War U.S. bayonet and scabbard production has posed significant challenges to researchers. Limited federal contract data has left many gaps and, at times, has proven difficult to interpret accurately. As with any story that is pieced together over time, there have been advances, as well as errors, made along the way. My research builds on previous work by noted authors/researchers, Gary Cunningham, Bill Porter, and Frank Trzaska. Gary’s research can be found in his books; and the work of all three on Frank Trzaska’s great site, http://usmilitaryknives.com.
The following summarizes what appear to be the U.S. government contracts, building on what has already been published with additional research of my own. The information presented below shows the extent of M6 Bayonet procurement discerned from publicly-available data, adds new details, and clarifies some details previously reported elsewhere. There remains much to still be discovered and explained through further research. If you are aware of any additional contracts or have information to add, comments and clarification are welcome.
| M6 Bayonet Contracts Summary | ||||||
| Contract No. | Contractor | Date | Amount | Quantity | Type | Notes |
| DA-11-199-ORD-472 | Aerial Cutlery Co. | 1960 | not available | not available | Definitive Contract | First contract not identified in Cunningham. 11/60 packing date from first contract observed. Second contract identified in Cunningham. 4/61, 4/62 packing dates from second contract observed. Cunningham indicates that Camillus supplied Aerial with 271,700 M6 blades between 4/60 & 5/61, so this figure may include both Aerial M6 contracts. |
| DA-11-199-ORD-566 | Aerial Cutlery Co. | 1961 | not available | Definitive Contract | ||
| DA-11-199-ORD-601 | Columbus Milpar & Manufacturing Co. |
2/15/1961 | $706,296 | 342,000 | Definitive Contract | Contract 2/15/1961 for 342000 bayonets + final inspection gauges per Government Accountability office (GAO) decision B-148124, April 13, 1962. |
| 3/31/1961 | $127,240 | 65,000 | Additional Work | Govt. exercised option for 65,000 additional bayonets 3/31/1961 per GAO decision. May 1962 packing date observed. | ||
| DA-11-199-ORD-729 | Imperial Knife Co. | 1962 | not available | not available | Definitive Contract | Contract details per Cunningham. 8/62 and 2/63 packing dates observed. |
| DA-11-199-AMC-270 | Columbus Milpar & Manufacturing Co. | 1963 | $365,458 | 182,804 | Definitive Contract | According to Cunningham, Milpar delivered 182,804 bayonets under this contract during fiscal year 1964. Small Business Administration (SBA) report indicates Milpar awarded contract for $365,458 during calendar year 1963. SBA report not explicit re bayonets, however, amount paid is spot-on for quantity reported. This indicates contract likely awarded in spring 1963. 10/63 packing date observed. |
| DA-11-199-AMC-659 | Columbus Milpar & Manufacturing Co. | January 1966 | $165,000 | not available | Definitive Contract | This contract not identified in Cunningham. Contract details per NARA AAD. 3/67 packing date observed. |
| June 1966 | $165,000 | not available | Additional Work | |||
| DAAF-03-67-C-0069 | Imperial Knife Co. | April 1967 | $582,000 | 265,951 | Definitive Contract | Contract details per NARA AAD. Quantity per Cunningham. Quantity reported consistent with amount paid under this contract. 10/68 packing date observed. |
| Notes
1) According to the Department of Defense, 1,633,000 M6 bayonets were manufactured. 2) Fake Packaging: There are M6 bayonets currently advertised as new-old-stock that were commercially-packaged to mimic government contract packaging. It is not known whether these bayonets may be USGI or may be commercially-assembled from rejected or surplus parts. |
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| Sources
Cunningham: Gary Cunningham, U.S. Knife Bayonets & Scabbards (Pennsylvania: Scott Duff Publications, 2015) |
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| © Ralph E. Cobb 2022 All Rights Reserved | ||||||
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