Need Help with M7

[budmant]

Picked up a M7 bayonet ( wanted the scabbard, blade came along for ride) w/o guard. Found a guard but need to know HOW to get pommell off. TIA

[Stephan]

The blade's tang is riveted/peened over to retain the part.

I would imagine you could take the handles off..jig the blade assembly up in a press and use something skinny enough to press the pommel/latch part off.

If you grind the riveted over part of the tang off..may not have enough metal left to re-peen it back on.

The blade, guard, and pommel are an assembly...The handles and screws are the only really replaceable parts. Anything else your going to have to take semi-permantly assembled parts apart.

It can be done..and apparently was done...I own a PAL M4 bayonet that has had the pommel removed(probably to remove rotten leather grip)..and re-riveted back on..then drilled and M7 style grips fitted. Came with a Korean carbine..so I figure the bayonet got overhauled in South Korea.