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...