Ontario Knife Works: USMC MARINE CORPS OKC3S bayonet

[Quarterbore]

Does someone know the story with these bayonets?

When was this contract put into place, do have an idea of the numbers involved, are they still being made, any unique markings?

Following is a blerb from an auction on these knives:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36071&item=6500256 627&rd=1


Quote:The Ontario Knives Marine Bayonet knife is the military issue bayonet carried by the Marines in Iraq-now available to the public. The Ontario Marine Bayonet knife features an 8" clip point blade made of proprietary carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness of 53-58. The blade is .200 inches thick and 1 3/8" wide, with a 1 3/4" Mission Serration, sharpened top swedge, and non-reflective black phosphate coat. The brown Dynaflex rubber handle is ergonomically grooved to reduce hand fatigue, with a positioning access point for quick redirect of the blade position in reduced visibility situations. The handle has an oval indentation with USMC on one side, and the Marine Corps logo on the other. The low noise multi-carry scabbard is made of brown molded polyester elastomer, with a ceramic coated aluminum honing rod on the back. The bayonet is held securely inside the scabbard by a fitted internal stainless steel spring friction device. The scabbard is equipped with two load bearing attaching straps with cross straps, which allows for multiple carry options. The brown handle, sheath and webbing are compatible with the digital desert camo colors. Overall length of the Marine Bayonet knife is 13¼", weight is 1.4 pounds.

I didn't have time to figure out where that text came from but I doubt the seller wrote it...

The description for the auction says...

Quote:
This is the current USMC Issue knife with MOLLE scabbard by Ontario Knife Company! See the pictures for the sealed bag and wrapping that your knife will come in.
Be one of the few to have this knife way below the 189.95 retail. Guaranteed new and authentic.
We have VERY limited quantities of this item as Ontario has focused most of its production on supplying our United States Marines overseas.
Marked "US and Foreign Pats Pend" This will be the collectors knife to have once the patent process is completed!
OKC3S Marine Bayonet with Scabbard


8 Inch Blade (20.5 centimeters)
13 1/4 Inches Overall (33.5 centimeters)
1 3/8 Inches Wide
.200 Inch Thick Proprietary Carbon Steel
Clip Point - Full Tang Blade
1 3/4 Inch Mission Serration
Phosphate non-reflective finish
53-58 Rc. Hardness
Dynaflex® Handle ergonomically grooved to reduce hand fatigue with positioning access point for quick redirect of positioning of blade in reduced visibility situations.
Brand New! Factory Sealed!
Scabbard


Manufactured with a low noise signature polyester elastomer
Fitted internal stainless steel spring friction device at throat of scabbard to secure bayonet
Ceramic-coated aluminum honing rod is located on back of scabbard
Equipped with two load bearing attaching straps with cross straps, which allows variations of placement on the load bearing equipment.

photo from auction above



Following is a photo that I got e-mailed to me that shows a pair of USMC Soldures with one of these knives:

[Quarterbore]

Here is another photo that shows these knives:

[Quarterbore]

Good Morning:

I note on the Forum that you still may be looking for some information on the Marine Bayonet.

Although I am sure that Bill Porter has this information, I thought I would pass it on to you since I know Bill is quite busy and might not have had time to put it together.

From a Marine Corps Press Release from Quantico dated 08/30/2004:

First issue of new bayonet - January 2003

At the time of the press release, the numbers actually received and issued was (total 89,491):

1st Marine Expeditionary Force - 32,690
2nd Marine Expeditionary Force - 27,271
3rd Marine Expeditionary Force - 22,593
Marine Forces Reserves - 10,080
Training and Education Command - 3,425
Other Support Establishment Units - 2,432

According to Homer Brett in an article written by Harold Kennedy for National Defense Magazine, the first contract to Ontario Knife Company of Franklinville, New York was for 99,987 at about $38.50 each.

In another website of the Marines, it is stated that the Acquisition Objective is 189,416 units. This site also gave the following general description and information:

• "The multi-purpose bayonet has a ""mission style"" serrated edge which will facilitate the cutting of hemp rope, lanyards, or cloth.
• The multi-purpose bayonet scabbard (thermoplastic elastomer) offers both a weight reduction and noise reduction from the current M7 bayonet scabbard.
• The scabbard is fully MOLLE compatible and has a quick release capability. An associated leg strap may be ordered separately.
• Acquisition Objective (AO) is 189,416.
• Due to a limited $$, one time congressional plus-up, only 100,000 bayonets will be purchased during CY 2004/2005"

Here is another great image:

[Lancelot]

Here are two pictures of mine.



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And here's two of the bayonet on my Bushmaster A4 clone. (Just got the upper together, lots left to do yet.)



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I'm told that some come with a leg strap, however since I'm the second owner on this one, I'm not sure if it came with one originally or not. The original wrapping was a plastic bag as shown earlier in this thread.





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[Carlo]

On the Frank Trzaska website, there is a new article by Gary Cunningham about the OKC3S bayonet.
it can be found here, and I strongly suggest everyone to take a look at it.

[Quarterbore]

I was doing a little surfing and found some more info on these knives:



From: http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mc...2?OpenDocument

New multi-purpose knife replaces old bayonet
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story by: Computed Name: Cpl. Shawn Vincent
Story Identification #: 200498161131




MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va(Aug. 30, 2004) -- The order to fix Bayonets was once a common phrase heard by Marines. Today the Marine Corps has a new weapon replacing the Bayonet - the Multi-Purpose Bayonet model number OKC-3S from the Ontario Knife Company.
The Marine Corps is currently issuing the Multi-Purpose Bayonet, and is scheduled to be finished issuing the knife by June 30, 2005.

The Multi-Purpose Bayonet with scabbard will provide greater durability than the M-7 Bayonet with scabbard and shall function as a fighting knife as well as a bayonet, said Maj. Allen L. Schweizer, team leader, support equipment program manager, infantry combat equipment, Marine Corps Systems Command.
Schweizer said the Multi-Purpose Bayonet attaches firmly to the bayonet lug when mounted on the M16 or M4 rifle.

Additional operating characteristics of the Multi-Purpose Bayonet include: functions without breaking in operating temperatures ranging from -25 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit; corrosive resistant; ergonomic handle that facilitates its use as a fighting knife; and it is compatible with current and planned load bearing equipment.
I
ts function is to be a bayonet and fighting knife but will perform all the necessary functions that one would expect from a field knife, Schweizer said. The Multi-Purpose Bayonet will not replace the K-Bar.
Schweizer said that the Multi-Purpose Bayonet is the replacement for the M-7 Bayonet. The Marine Corps began fielding the knife in January, 2003. To date, 89,491 Multi-Purpose Bayonets have been fielded.

I Marine Expeditionary Force received 32,690 Multi-Purpose Bayonets, II MEF received 27,271, III MEF received 22,593, Marine Forces Reserves received 10,080, Training and Education Command received 3,425 and other support establishment units have received 2,432.

Every Marine that has a rifle as their weapon will be issued a Multi-Purpose Bayonet, Schweizer said.
After the decision to use the Multi-Purpose Bayonet was made in December, 2002, Schweizer said the source selection committee chose the OKC-3S version knife because it performed superbly in many different testing and evaluation categories.

Out of 33 different knives submitted for evaluation, this OKC-3S performed best, or next to best, in just about every category, he said.

While the Marine Corps modified its handle material and a few other small points, the scabbard was designed by USA Labs Natick MA, Schweizer said.

Schweizer said the Multi-Purpose Bayonet is best used on the enemy, and it causes physiological as well as physical damage.

It is psychologically damaging because of the fear it will bring to the mind of our adversaries, he said. It projects a manly looking, fear-invoking presence - not only is it much larger than the M-7 Bayonet, it is much thicker, wider, heaver and meaner.

Following are three photos by: Maj. Allen L. Schweizer, USMC

http://www.m9bayonet.com/images/onta...c3/okc3s-a.jpg

http://www.m9bayonet.com/images/onta...c3/okc3s-b.jpg

http://www.m9bayonet.com/images/onta...c3/okc3s-c.jpg

[HER]

Hello! Does anyone know the name and contact information for the USMC program manager for bayonets?

Thank you and best regards,

Hillary

[1feral1]

I recently bought one of these OKC3S bayonets. Here's a pic I took the other day of a few knifes for comparison. The M7 is question is a Cdn C7 Nella one.

Cheers,
1feral1

[Deep6Osama]

I like this bayonet but one thing bothers me about it. It does not appear to be serviceable like the M9. The tang appears to be pressed into the latching pommel. The price tag on this does seem a bit much from what I have seen $100 - $150. It cannot cost more money than an M9 to produce due to the fact it has one less part and no threads any were. I still plan to buy one regardless.

[Walt]

I got very lucky at a gunshow and picked up a brand new one of these for $75.