LanCay Bayonet M9 w/out hyphen

[Lubbock Bayonet Guy]

I recently purchased 2 M9 bayonets from a retired Army Colonel. One was an M9 LanCay Bayonet, with no hyphen between Lan and Cay. I was curious to know if this is one of the rare 200 2nd contract, without the hyphen. It has a black oxide finish, in new condition. Below i have included pics to verify if this is one of the 200 or not.

http://i37.tinypic.com/m745g0.jpg


http://i34.tinypic.com/2jeu0ie.jpg

[porterkids]

I think you are referring to the first contract blades that didn't meet spec for the first contract but did meet them when the specs were changed for the second contract. Your bayonet is not one of these.

[Lubbock Bayonet Guy]

alright, since this isn't a second contract, then why is there no hyphen and what exactly is this?

[porterkids]

I didn't say it isn't a second contract. I said it isn't one of the first contract blades that was issued as part of the second contract. It is simply an early second contract blade, manufactured before LanCay added the hyphen to their name.

[Lubbock Bayonet Guy]

thanks for the reply. I was also wondering how much this certain bayonet is worth.

[m9er]

Yep, early second contract LanCay... still a very nice bayonet. I have a couple of these.

http://www.megpro.com/ar/bayo/m9/LanCayfont.jpg

Hard to say what they are worth. I have two that are in new condition (15yr old or so) that I picked up for $60ish, but have seen the same ones with a hollow ground blade go for $250.

http://www.popernack.com/shop/shop.php?aID=20&xID=1429

[porterkids]

As M9er mentioned, these can be found with both flat ground and hollow ground blades. While some of the early Lancay bayonets were not made in large quantities, they do not seem to bring big $$. I've seen several for sale with high price tags and they've been on the lists for a while. Not a high demand item, probably because if you're patient and vigilant you can still find them for sale priced the same as any other Lan-Cay.

[Greg V]

Are both of these early 2nd contract? Both have oxide blades and no hyphen. The better of the two has a flat ground blade. The other one is hollow ground. Both appear identical except for the way the blades are ground.

The hollow ground came in an early 2nd contract scabbard with a '94 dated buckle. The other was found in a Phrobis scabbard.

Thanks, Greg V

[porterkids]

Yes, these are both early second contract bayonets. An old tooth brush and some light machine oil will do wonders for these two bayonets.

[rexmeyer]

Bill, I was wondering if you could provide a picture of a hollow ground one verses the non hollow ground bayonet...I would appreciate that, so I can know the difference... Rex

[Greg V]

I tried to take a few pictures to show what I believe is the difference. I couldn't seem to get a good one though, so I made an attempt at some art work. I'm not an artist or a draftsman, but maybe this will help. And, maybe I am wrong all together! I'm sure someone has a better visual. The one on the right is the hollow ground.

[porterkids]

Rex,

It is difficult to capture it in a photograph. If you hold a credit card on the cutting edge you can easily see the difference between the two. The flat ground is just that, flat; whereas the hollow ground has a concave edge.

[Greg V]

Would the correct scabbard for both of these be early second contract with the stone? What should the date be on the buckle?

Thanks, Greg V