Russian Type II Rework

[Brian]

Go this one yesterday, and before I trade it on locally, I wanted to run it past the members here to make sure there is nothing worth keeping here.
It is clearly an arsenal rework, as there are ground areas to remove old numbers, and new ones added. What is slightly interesting to me, is the dark original finish that comes out much lighter once ground away. Is this original dark surface finish some kind of sealer or varnish, and is it common?
They clearly do these fast and often. They run the one side of the bayonet over probably a sanding belt on one side of the scabbard. The other side is relatively untouched. Crossguard serial is sanded off, and refinished back to black.
Old number was large and stamped (463) on the wire cutter plate.
Other markings are the usual stuff. So my main question relates to the darker surface finish.

Then, I also wondered about the wrist strap. Unlike others I have seen, this one is raw (good quality) leather without a smooth side. Both sides have the suede-like finish. I would have guessed a field replacement, but it is riveted properly. So I am guessing just the batch of leather that was used at the time where these were arsenal refinished? Has anyone come across this kind of leather wrist strap before? Of course, hangers and wrist straps can take any number of forms, and whatever can be used has been used. So just wanted to check if I should keep this, or pass it on.

Brian

[croblade]

This was reworked in Bulgaria. You may often find them with mixed Iz/Tula or Arsenal parts.

[Mr. B.]

I friend and I bought a quantity of reworked Russian 6X3 and 6X4 last year from an importer. We found a few keeper bayonets, but for the most part the bayonets and scabbards were crudely reworked and not much value to a collector. Not sure where they came from but there were even well used Bulgarian 6X4s mixed in as well!? The importer also had quantities of Russian and Bulgarian AK and AKM parts kits at the same time. The bayonets were all mixed in boxes and for the most part looked like the dregs (lowest level) of reworking and even had loose parts, accessories and reject pieces mixed in, (rejects? - floor sweepings?). We did find a decent flat pommel, several transitionals, (forced matched), and other interesting items. An all leather slotted wrist strap, and an early 6X3 scabbard with a flat bar and permanent one piece fabric hanger, (like AK47). Lots of other interesting hangers, straps and insulators etc. as well.
I answer to one of your questions, yes, many of the bayonets and scabbards the were heavily used and or rough ground and had been repainted or varnished. Some appeared to be an almost clear coat others were a dark blood red. All coatings were crudely applied with lots of runs and overlap. It was very apparent that the bayonets and scabbards were separated and reworked separately. Mixed finishes, mixed arsenals, mixed early and late variations, mixed straps and hangers, etc.. After rework they were randomly matched, (6X3 to 6X4 and Izzy to Tula), and new numbers applied. All done to be functional and nothing else.
The scabbard in your pictures shows signs of wear to this rework finish or an attempt to remove it. A typical rework junker, but I do find the stamped numbers on the cutter plate unusual, don't think I have seen that placement before!? Also there are a lot of different straps on the reworks, but that one is sort of unique. Not sure of the collectors value. More later with pictures. M.

[Mr. B.]

Yes, I agree with you. I think that these were reworked and renumbered in Bulgaria. The fact that the numbers are in the Bulgarian 4 digit hand etched style. The fact that used and reworked Bulgarian 6X4s were mixed in. And mostly that the importer didn't confirm it, but thought that they had came from the same source as the demilled rifles in Bulgaria. I did notice almost all imaginable mixes of Russian components, but no mixes between the Russian and Bulgarian components. Reworked at different times and/or places and then combined? M.

[Brian]

Thanks for the info gents.
This one comes out of a South African collection and is a few years old....so this isn't a recent import. Either way, I'm going to hang on to the wrist strap for interest and pass the bayonet on to the next guy.

[Mr. B.]

Here are pictures of repainted Russian Tula Transitional(?) bayonet and scabbard. Actually this is a reworked mismatched early 6X3 bayonet (circle pattern catch button), with a later 6X4 scabbard with forced matching numbers and replacement rework style strap and hanger. The paint brush marks and runs are apparent in the medium red finish. Brush marks are also noticeable on the scabbard which seems to be more of a yellow finish. Note the white Tula proof marks that are now a yellow/orange. M.

[Mr. B.]

More pictures of the rework transitional bayonet and scabbard. M.

[Mr. B.]

Here are pictures of the unusual strap and hanger on the above transitional bayonet and hanger. They are the reason I kept this one. The hanger is a tan leather two tone, with the hilt strap almost a patent/shiny finish. The strap is tan leather and both the hanger and strap have black rivets and stud. The second hanger and strap pictured are also unique. They were found on different bayonets in the same group of reworks. The hanger and strap are of unusually thick natural tan leather of the same color and texture. What is even more unusual is that all the metal pieces on both items have a very distinctive gold tint. Unfortunately this doesn't show well in pictures. M.

[furtium]

I have a reworked Izzy 6x4 with a red lacquer over it with a stamped serial number on the back cutter plate "3151", but I have not seen one with stamped serial numbers on the front.