Description
Imperial US M7 Bayonet with M8A1 Scabbard – Vietnam Era
Offered here is an original USGI M7 bayonet manufactured by Imperial, complete with its correct US M8A1 scabbard. Designed for the M16 rifle and its variants, the M7 bayonet served as the standard-issue blade of the U.S. Armed Forces from the early Vietnam War period into the 1980s.
This example is clearly marked “Imperial” on the ricasso, identifying it as a contract-produced bayonet from one of the most prolific government suppliers of the period. The blade is a fuller-style spear point, phosphate-finished with minor wear consistent with field use. The guard retains a functional muzzle ring, and the pommel includes a working press catch mechanism, fully compatible with all standard M16-style bayonet lugs.
The grips are the correct checkered black composite, solid and uncracked. The included US M8A1 scabbard is the correct green fiberglass-bodied variant, with steel throat and reinforced web belt hanger. It features the later universal belt hook and retains its original canvas frog and securing snap, all fully intact.
The M7 bayonet represents a pivotal shift in U.S. bayonet design—prioritizing weight reduction and rifle compatibility over earlier longer blades. Imperial’s examples are among the most sought-after by collectors of Vietnam War militaria, U.S. Army gear, and military surplus bayonets.
This is a solid service-used example, ideal for completing a Vietnam-era M16 display or filling a critical gap in a U.S. bayonet collection. These are becoming increasingly hard to find in complete, all-original configuration.
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