M4 Camillus from 1953 production

[Sleepwalker]

Hi there,

here I would like to show you a new M4 from Camillus from the 1953 contract.

This new edition of the M4 was the last with the leather handle in 1953.

A distinguishing feature is the lying X on the head plate, the black lacquered top of the head plate, the missing "flaming bomb" and the modified strong crossguard with the round corners to avoid stress breaks.
The grip leather is impregnated and therefore has no plastic placeholders at the top and bottom. The leather is processed quite roughly.

The Bayonet is in a sheath of the manufacturer Victory Plastic Division of the Beckwith Corporation - VPCO.
This sheath comes from the 1953 contract with this manufacturer.
So a suitable set.

As early as 1954, the manufacturer Turner manufactured the M4 with plastic handle scales.

From the 1990s, Camillus relaunched the M4. It is easy to distinguish between the standing X on the headstock and a different manufacturer logo.

[Rescue190]

Great example. Thank you for describing the differences.
John

[Sleepwalker]

Here is another M4 from Camillus from 1953 production. It is worn.

In contrast to the first, the handle scales are significantly darker and smoother.

Is this a production variant or does it come from use? Have the handles been blackened?

[Sleepwalker]

Comparison

[Sleepwalker]

Camillus M4 from 1990's

[Alex W]

Couple of nice examples Sleepwalker. Im not an expert on these bayonets (or any others) but I've never seen a handle that colour before. This website has an example of grip washers that somewhat match the colour of yours however i think it is from a ww2 run. Bayo Points 16

Alex

[Chopperman]

IMO the first knife shown has had the handle sanded down.
Maybe by someone trying to make it appear as being "New"

I could be wrong and I hope that I am however,
I had an old kabar that the leather had mold on it so I sanded it to remove
the mold and the finished result looked a lot like your knife.

[Rescue190]

Greg, I believe the 1st pictured grips to be original and not sanded down. But that is just my opinion from what I have seen. These were assembled with full spacers and then run through a machine to cut the grooves. The darker one has wear from use and oil. All y opinion. No books to back that up.
John

[Chopperman]

That would be good news.
I have never seen a NEW one before so my comments above
were just my uneducated opinion.

[rbminis]

I'm inclined to agree with Greg.
This area tells me that the handle was sanded, and they could not get the sanding disc, or drum, close enough to the guard without damaging it.
Ralph.