Marto M9A1

[Carlo]

A really nice addition to my collection.
While we are all aware of a Marto M9 for the commercial market, marked

..M9
MARTO

in green color, with a standard Phrobis scabbard, I didn't know (untill now) that there was a black version too, made in very limited numbers, marked

.M9A1
MARTO

with a black M9A1 scabbard (high blade stop) and black magazine pouch.
This bayonet was strictly commercial, also.
So, here it is!

















P.S. I got the information posted above (production quantity and bayonet description) from a 1991 letter signed by H. Brett.
Should anyone had updated information about this bayonet, please feel free to post here!

[rexmeyer]

See, Carlo I knew you had one I don't have and a nice one at that!!!

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by rexmeyer

See, Carlo I knew you had one I don't have and a nice one at that!!!

Ah!
Hi Rex, thanks, but I'm sure your collection beats mine (both in numbers and quality) on the LanCay field...and more!

[Carlo]

There is one for sale on ebay!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Marto-M9A1-...3A1%7C294%3A50
This variation is really scarce... grab it if you had any interest on the Marto marked M9s!

[pwcosol]

Regarding the MARTO M9A1 pattern bayonets, I believe they were made in both black & green. I thought someone once told me the MARTO marked M9A1s were not made in tan, (but US bayonets were available in this color). Can anyone verify if this is factual or not? BTW, I think the seller mentioned by Carlo may have more M9A1s to list in the near future...

[porterkids]

If you are talking about the MARTO marked bayonets, not the Phrobis Int'l, the M9 was made in green and the M9A1 in black. Period. The MARTO M9A1 was also the only M9A1 to come equipped with a magazine pouch.

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by pwcosol

Regarding the MARTO M9A1 pattern bayonets, I believe they were made in both black & green. I thought someone once told me the MARTO marked M9A1s were not made in tan, (but US bayonets were available in this color). Can anyone verify if this is factual or not? BTW, I think the seller mentioned by Carlo may have more M9A1s to list in the near future...

I would like to know as well.
Since now, I thought that the M9A1 marked "MARTO" variation was made with black fittings only, while the green variation had the "M9" over "MARTO" stamping.
I have yet to see a black variation (standard scabbard and latch) with the "M9" over "MARTO" stamping or the "M9A1" over "MARTO" in green color with the modified scabbard.
I never heard about a tan variation ("MARTO" marked), like the Phrobis III (or Phrobis Int.l) M9A1.
Unfortunately, my only source of information regarding this bayonet is the letter by H. Brett I posted above, and I do not have the "part 1" Mr. Brett is referring to.
Anyway, I edited my previous post with a better scan of the above letter, as I happen to have the original.
--------
Did not see Bill answer, as we were posting at the same time.