Featured in this lot is this late 1940s, United States M8A1 knife and scabbard. The US M8A1 scabbard, developed in 1944 during WWII, was designed to securely hold the M3 trench knife and various bayonets (M4, M5A1, M6, M7) using a durable fiber-glass body with a steel throat and extended belt hanger with a wire hook. It succeeded the earlier M8 scabbard, adding compatibility with the standard M1910 cartridge belt. This knife is marked on the scabbard reading, "U.S. M8A1 / B.M. Co." showing it was manufactured by a major wartime manufacturer, Beckwith Manufacturing Company. It features connection points on the handle to connect to various fittings and used as a bayonette. The blade is sharp and features a dagger / spear point style. It sits snuggly in the scabbard and is secured on the handle with a snap, grip retaining strap. It shows good condition overall with slight wear present from its age and use over the years, but no major signs of damage is noted. The blade measures 6 5/8" L x 7/8" W with the handle measuring 4 1/2" L x 1 3/8" W x 1" D. In the sheath, it measures 13 3/4" L x 2 5/8" W. It has a total weight of 1 pound.