Soldier posing with new M-9 multi-purpos

[Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by pwcosol

DK: That is interesting information on the number of XM9s produced. I am trying to recall how many XM9s I have observed or heard of which were not numbered for the Army trials. One Forum member acquired a blade which I think was obtained from Camillus after they went out of business & sold their inventory at auction. Other collectors have stated fakes also exist. I have never encountered one of these. However, the true XM9 has several minor manufacturing features which differ from all other M9s made, making it extremely difficult to reproduce.

Phrobis could have had some left over XM9 marked blades; possibly rejects, which were assembled into parts bayonets & sold commercially (as was the case with the pancake scabbards). Regarding the latter, I purchased a Phrobis "3-line" in a pancake scabbard a few years ago. The former owner bought the bayonet off Mr. Finn's "product board" @ the Great Western Show back in the late 1980s. Interestingly the bayonet has an unsharpened blade & a XM9 pommel cap, indicating use of left-over parts.

I know that only 5 were unmarked by the Military as again 5 were held back for PHROBIS in house test's. I cant speak of fakes as I havent seen any. All the others were marked and numbered by the US Mititary for the trials of the various test's.. I can rest assure PHROBIS had NO extra XM9 #29 blades.ONLY 55 made. All the people involved stated this Fact including the BUCK's..I will have a picture of the origonal final M9 prototype ,one of the 5 held back from PHROBIS XM9 #29 , and a picture of the ONLY Buck Custom Shop made Damascus M9.

[pwcosol]

DK: Thanks for sharing your XM9 findings with the Forum. Regarding the XM9s which were not submitted to the Army for evaluation, two are verified. One is the complete example I own, and the other a blade owned by a Forum member. This can bee seen on this QB link, post# 19: http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/sh...?t=2474&page=2 . The XM9 pictured with the soldier at the beginning of this thread could be a third example. However, it is likely the photos were taken prior to the XM9s either being sent the the Army for the trials, or issuance to the troops (hence all unmarked). As for incorrect/fake XM9s, the warning came from Homer Brett to be sure one is familiar with the unique features found only on the actual Phrobis bayonets, in order to avoid acquiring a bogus example being passed off as original.