A Brief History of the M7 Bayonet
Fielded in 1964 alongside the M16, the M7 bayonet inherited the rugged DNA of the WWII-era M4 fighting knife and went on to serve in every major U.S. conflict from Vietnam through Iraq. Nearly three million were produced by contractors such as Imperial, Conetta, and Ontario—making the M7 a true workhorse and a collectible worth preserving.
What You’ll Need
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CLP or MIL-PRF-680 solvent (approved in the Army tech manual)
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Soft nylon or brass brush
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Cotton swabs & lint-free cloths
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Light gun or knife oil
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Nitrile gloves & eye protection
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Optional: silicone-impregnated cloth for final wipe-down
Step-by-Step M7 Bayonet Cleaning Guide
Cleaning the Blade
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Safety first. Work on an unloaded firearm or a detached bayonet.
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Dry scrub. Knock off grit with a dry nylon brush.
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Solvent soak. Dab CLP on the blade; let it work for 2–3 minutes.
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Wipe clean. Push solvent—and any fouling—off the edge, never toward the spine.
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Tackle rust. Use a brass brush with light strokes; avoid stripping the original phosphate finish. (ia803100.us.archive.org)
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Oil & inspect. Finish with a thin coat of oil, checking the tip and edge for chips.
Handle, Guard & Pommel
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Mild wash. Plastic grips respond well to warm water and a drop of dish soap—no harsh chemicals.
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Detail clean. Swab around the muzzle ring, guard, and latch recesses.
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Lubricate moving parts. A single drop of oil on the lock-release levers keeps them snappy.
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Check for cracks. The hairline cracks under 0.5 in. are acceptable; anything larger means it’s time for a replacement handle.
Scabbard TLC
Wipe out the throat with a solvent-dampened cloth, dry thoroughly, and add a whisper of oil to the spring. Canvas or nylon frogs can be freshened with a mild fabric cleaner; leather tabs take kindly to a touch of neatsfoot oil (https://www.armynavysales.com/neatsfoot-leather-oil.html).
What to Avoid
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Steel wool, buffing wheels, or other aggressive abrasives—these can burn through that hard-won phosphate finish.
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Soaking the bayonet overnight in solvent—prolonged exposure can wick under the grips and invite corrosion.
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Storing a freshly oiled blade inside a damp scabbard; let the oil set for an hour before sheathing.
Pro Storage Tip
A silicone-cloth wipe followed by a dry, climate-controlled cabinet keeps rust at bay. If you’re displaying the knife unsheathed, re-oil every three months; if it’s sheathed, inspect twice a year
With just ten minutes of routine care, your M7 will stay sharp, safe, and true to its Vietnam-era heritage. Need a spare or a display piece? Check out our Reproduction M7 Bayonet with M8A1 Scabbard (https://www.armynavysales.com/reproduction-m7-bayonet-with-m8a1-scabbard.html).
