M9 maintenance and storage?

[Carlo]

Nice one!
The blade seems almost in mint condition.
I think the upper part of the scabbard was probably replaced, as the color of the strap is a little different (lighter green) and shows more use.

[Menno]

The blade does have some wear marks, but I agree with you that is almost mint. I really didn't expect that the way I originally received it.

The colors are exactly the same by the way, I checked just now to be sure
I think the lighting at the time makes it look different (window on the left), but thanks for keeping me sharp, I miss these things sometimes

I am going to clean all my M9's this week in the same way. I will post some photo's of them in the appropriate sub-fora when I am done

Best regards,
Menno
The Netherlands

[Menno]

Some additional information and photo's of my storage method.

After cleaning the M9 and applying a little Ballistol for protection, I cut a piece of plastic the length of the blade and 7 cm wide and fold that in half. That way you can fold it over the blade and then insert the knife into the scabbard, so it wont scratch. I forgot to take a photo of this, I will do this for the next M9 and show it here.
The plastic is simply a A4 size piece of plastic used for those old overhead sheet projectors. Ancient technology, but I saved some sheets anyway.

After that I put some packaging foam between metal and other parts to prevent it from scratching. It is simple 1mm thick foam (topfoam). It may seem overkill to do this, but I have about half a kilometer of that stuff lying around, so better safe than sorry



After that wrap I the knife and scabbard into a piece of the same foam. I then put this into a gripbag (18 by 50 cm in size). I add a label and voilà, done



I then put it into a airtight, impact resistant, low moisture military storage container with some padlocks.
My M9's will never be damaged!

Best regards,
Menno
The Netherlands.

P.S. Today I got a mint/perfect unissued Gen 2 Phrobis by mail. I will post some pictures of this one soon

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by Menno

My M9's will never be damaged!

I think your bayonets will survive the Third World War!
Great job, by the way!