M9M4 BAYONET : COLLECTION KNIFE BUCK – LANCAY

PWCOSOL Pages 72 and 73 + 74
Photos - Courtesy from Fred A.K.A. PWCOSOL (AZ USA)
PART ONE

OKC "DS" - "UC" - ONTARIO BAYONETS
INFORMATIONS
Here are the photos of five (out of six) OKC FT USMC trials bayonets.
As mentioned earlier, the OKC 3FT (UC) is not shown as these apparently were retained for further evaluation and testing.
All have the "basket-weave" rubber grips and "USA" molded into the right grip recess.
The M7 pattern cross guards will have either "UC" (Unified Carbon) or "DS" (Diamond Steel) stamped on the lower, forward facing flat.
The first pattern USMC OKC 3S has basket weave hard grips and a M9 cross guard. It also has the small nub just behind the muzzle ring (used as a night time locator pin in order for the bearer to, with a touch, ensure which side of the blade is facing down).
This pattern was only on the first 500 units produced, until the second (standard) OKC 3S superseded it.
Note the gap seen between the back edge of the blade and the cross guard in photo "OKC 3S Std Var a" (#186).
This is not uncommon on issued bayonets but I have seen this gap on examples in as-new condition as well. IMHO this is rather sloppy assembly and appears the tang was not peened adequately or blade not completely seated to the cross guard when this was done.
Fielded examples might have suffered from shrinkage of the grip, but I have seen many hard-use bayonets with no gap evident...

Regards,
PWCOSOL

OKC 1FT DS

OKC 1FT UC

Photos 7 and 8 : The first pattern USMC OKC 3S has basket weave hard grips and a M9 cross guard. It also has the small nub just behind the muzzle ring (used as a night time locator pin in order for the bearer to, with a touch, ensure which side of the blade is facing down).

Small nub just behind the muzzle ring
(used as a night time locator pin in order for the bearer to, with a touch, ensure which side of the blade is facing down)