M9 Book "American Gladius"

[pwcosol]

I just finished reading the recently released book on the MPBS M9 "American Gladius". The book basically centers around the M9 bayonet as contracted for by the U.S. Army, and variations in the evolution (or rather "devolution") of the design. There is also brief coverage of the USMC's M9 experience, & subsequent adoption of the OKC 3s. However, a substantial portion of the book deals with the U.S. military acquisition system, nomenclature, and evaluation process. In addition the author has attempted to define those production variants (as made for the US Army & USMC) with a system of nomenclature to help identify specific bayonets.

Other books, dealing with bayonets (such as those of Kiesling, Jansen, or Johnson) and their identifying numbers, have become points of reference for many collectors when attempting to refer to a very specific bayonet variation. Whether the reference system established in "American Gladius" will join them, time will tell. This book is not a "collectors guide" to all M9 bayonets, and the author makes this very clear in his presentation. It is the first in-depth publication on the MPBS M9, and although limited in it's perspective, covers subject matter I would not expect to find in subsequent works. Perhaps the most disappointing feature was the lack of photographs or poor sketches of many bayonets discussed...all of which I am sure might have been made available from several sources or private collectors had the author sought them out. Nontheless, I applaud Capt. Pattarozzi for making this effort, and hope "American Gladius" will not be the last book on the MPBS M9...

[porterkids]

I've had a copy for several weeks but have not yet had the time to read the entire work. I have read select sections and will comment at some point in the future.
I had some correspondence with the author about a year ago and looked forward to the book being published. I, too, am dissappointed in the lack of detailed photographs of the bayonets. Any of a number of collectors would have been happy to provide examples for use in the book.
As stated above, this is not the definitve work on the M9 bayonet, nor was that the intent.

[porterkids]

For those interested, the book can be purchased directly from the publisher. When I ordered mine the publisher was offering free shipping. I called in the order on a Wednesday and the book arrived on Friday.

http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschi...=9780764332395

[Carlo]

Hello and thanks for sharing the information about this new book.
I didn't know (or heard) that there was a new book on the M9.
I have one copy on order now!

[pwcosol]

Bill, I am looking forward to your thoughts on the system of nomenclature Capt. Pattarozzi established in "American Gladius" to help identify specific M9 variations. I found the section dealing with LanCay M9s somewhat confusing. However, with the plethora of variants, both military & civilian, produced by LanCay, this is quite understandable!

[Old-Smithy]

I just got my copy thanks to EBAY, it has been skimmed and looks to be interesting, I was suprised at the number of pictures in it after the comments above, as it seems he has pictures of all that relate to his numbering system, but only M9's and not all th etrials pieces if that is what is meant - may make it a lot easier for collectors of the type if only as a basis - but reading may show where stuff is missing, I have already found some typo errors i.e. figs 157 and 158 dont agree with text so will be interested to go into more detail, however there are 3 other bayonet books in front at the moment, and at least 2 more to come