U.S. M7 Bayonet "Colt 62316"

The Colt 62316 is not a license or serial number, but rather the official Colt factory part number for their commercial and export version of the M7 bayonet. Introduced in the 1960s to accompany the M16 rifle, this specific variant is highly sought after by militaria collectors today due to its unique stamps and historical connection to the Vietnam War era.

Key Identification Markings

• Blade Inscription: The face of the blade is explicitly stamped with the iconic Colt pony logo (Rampant Colt) next to the text: COLT'S 62316 HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A..
• Crossguard: The underside of the crossguard is stamped with U.S. M7.

Production & History

Though the bayonets bear the Colt brand name, the firearm manufacturer outsourced the actual production to focus entirely on manufacturing M16 rifles:

• The American Contract (~30,000 units): The initial production run was manufactured in 1963–1964 by the Imperial Knife Company in Rhode Island. Only about 8,000 of these went directly into U.S. military service during the Vietnam War. The remaining 22,000 units stayed in storage and were sold off as export or commercial surplus in the 1990s. These versions can be recognized by a solid tang.

Technical Specifications

• Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel with a non-reflective, dark parkerized finish.
• Design: A sleek spear-point profile with a partially sharpened upper edge, optimized for penetration.
• Dimensions: Total length of 11.75 inches (approx. 30 cm) with a 6.75-inch blade (approx. 17 cm).
• Handle: Black checkered plastic grip scales secured by two screws.
• Scabbard: Comes with a matching green polymer USM8A1 scabbard featuring a canvas belt loop.