Australian Army M9 Bayonet

[Blackmantis]

I have a question I'm scratching my head to figure out.

Buck made only 20,050 M9 Bayonets for the Australian Army

There are 27,828 (Regular) 17,064 (Active Reserve) 12,496 (Standby Reserve) soldiers, totalling 57388 soliders.

There's only 20050 M9s to go around, what does the Australian Army issue to the 37338 other soldiers?

[porterkids]

I know there was a contract for M7 bayonets and if I'm not mistaken Australia also uses the KCB77. Perhaps someone with a first hand knowledge of the Austrailian military can chime in.

[Blackmantis]

Originally Posted by porterkids

I know there was a contract for M7 bayonets and if I'm not mistaken Australia also uses the KCB77. Perhaps someone with a first hand knowledge of the Austrailian military can chime in.

Ah interesting, thanks for the info.

Any idea who manufactures the M7s for the Aussie army (I mean, they'd have to be custom made right considering the F88 Austeyr and the M16 rifle are differently sized guns?).

Also any idea where I can buy a KCB 77? Ebay search turned up nothing.

[rexmeyer]

I am thinking that General Cutlery is making them. At one time they were a subcontractor for lancay

[Blackmantis]

Originally Posted by rexmeyer

I am thinking that General Cutlery is making them. At one time they were a subcontractor for lancay

Ah ok. Any idea where I could get one?

[Old-Smithy]

Aussi M7's turn up on Ebay occasionally as for the KCB that is different they are less common. I have the M7 on my site and there is info on them at www.usmilitaryknives.com

[rexmeyer]

I know that Numberonegi had an Australian M-7 on ebay one month and also some Australian M-7 sheaths, because I bought a sheath from him...I managed to find an Australian M-7 bayonet in a US sheath on ebay which I won the auction...

[Blackmantis]

Originally Posted by Old-Smithy

Aussi M7's turn up on Ebay occasionally as for the KCB that is different they are less common. I have the M7 on my site and there is info on them at www.usmilitaryknives.com

Are the KCBs still being made and if so, wouldn't it be possible to just order one from the factory?

[porterkids]

Eickhorn was bought out several years ago by a company in the UK. They are currently manufacturing a KCB77 type bayonet but I don't remember if that's what they call it or if they changed the designation. In any case, the new bayonets are not exactly the same as the old ones. And forget trying to order from the factory. They do not respond to emails. I must have sent a dozen over the past few years, not looking to purchase direct, I just wanted the name of a US distributor. They never replied.

[rexmeyer]

Bill, are they making the same bayonet the kcb77 for Canada now?