Thank you for watching! There are several good websites with a lot of helpful bayonet information. If you are interested in U.S. Military bayonets, I recommend you visit: www.usmilitaryknives.com/bayonet_points.htm and worldbayonets.com/index.htm as good sources of information on the web.

If you're talking about the gap between the guard and the handle that exposes the tang seen on some bayonets, I'm not sure there is a purpose. At least I have not read anything about it. It is just the way some came out of the factory and apparently it did not stop the military from accepting them.

@@thegunbarracks6064 probably for faster production it's going to do its job regardless at the end of the day.

I would think it is a reproduction. Bayonets made for the U.S. military or for U.S. government contract would have some marking identifying the model, in this case "M7", and the maker. However, I cannot speak for U.S. pattern bayonets made by foreign governments for their own military which some countries that adapted U.S. weapons did. And, commercial reproductions are known to simulate U.S. markings. There is a wealth of information available about U.S. bayonets on the internet and in books by people who know far more than me. It may pay to study some of this information if you find it interesting and if you are seeking genuine military bayonets. Also, I did find a similar question like yours asked on this forum: www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/111930-unmarked-m7-bayonet/ Thanks for spending time watching the video. I wish I could have given a happier outlook on your purchase.

@@thegunbarracks6064 thank you for your reply and the good info! I'm not too worried about it being a repro, if that's what it is, as it seems to be good quality, fits on my rifle, and does the job. But it would be interesting to know more about it. Best wishes and happy new year!

Imperial m7 bayonets were made from 1973 I believe. So therefore never served with US forces in Vietnam