July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2022
Very nice example of a Colt Model 601 Bayonet. In the early 1960s, Colt obtained the rights to the AR-15 rifle from Armalite in order to attempt to secure a military contract for the rifle. Military specifications required that the rifle be manufactured to accommodate a bayonet and the M4 bayonet was considered for adaption, but was found to be unsuitable. Therefore, these early AR-15 bayonets are quite rare. The bayonet features a parkerized steel 7" spearpoint blade with a 3 - 1/2" double edge. The face of the blade is marked "COLT'S PT.FA.MFG, CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." The blade is followed by a parkerized steel crossguard which accommodates the bayonet lug which is mounted above the green painted, grooved, hard plastic grip. The bayonet is housed in an M8A1 scabbard marked "USM8A1 / T.H.B." for "The Pennsylvania Working Home (for the Blind), later renamed, “The Working Blind in Philadelphia, Pa.”. CONDITION: The blade retains most of its original parkerized finish with scabbard wear evident. Green plastic guard exhibits handling wear, and the pommel has lost most of its black paint. The scabbard remains sturdy, exhibiting light wear, with scattered blemishes evident on high wear areas. Overall very good. JLD