Kalashnikov Bayonets of the World

Very nice examples of these two variations, just like mine! It does look like you added a Russian hanger on the brown one. I would suggest replacing it with a short East German, (DDR), one to be correct. Who ever made these bayonets up used new unissued surplus DDR scabbards and hangers assemblies. The black scabbards would be correct with either a short or long hanger depending on if the were assembled for use with the DDR AKM 6X3 Type I, (transitional) or the AKM 6X4 Type II bayonet. This can be somewhat determined by the molded marks on the scabbard, early vs late. Mike

Info on the scabbards is available in the section on Germany and this subject, "East German Type II Scabbard Variations".

I just brought in a few of both black and red-handled. Kept out two of each for me. Lots of German proofs on the scabbards. Most of them have circle 35 stamps. one had circle 27, and one had circle 15. The circle 27 even came with a plastic-type hanger.

That plastic type East German hanger is fairly rare. To add to the numbers, I have a red handle with the number 21.

FYI ....If anyone is interested. Both versions of this bayonet are currently for sale on the The AK Forum.

https://www.theakforum.net/threads/wts- ... ts.319789/

An acquaintance of my recently got his hands on a few examples and took time to get detailed photos. He just signed up for the site and should be posting photos once his is approved.

Hello folks,

Thanks for the intro Dange. I recently had a friend grab a ton of high-res photos of some variants of these knives. Orange (15) and (27) and black (15) and (35). Pommel stamps 3 and 7.

Here's the photo album
https://imgur.com/a/vn-bayonets-0ckWHQ1

Some preview photos

taxidrivercat wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2024 3:09 pm Hello folks,

Thanks for the intro Dange. I recently had a friend grab a ton of high-res photos of some variants of these knives. Orange (15) and (27) and black (15) and (35). Pommel stamps 3 and 7.

Here's the photo album
https://imgur.com/a/vn-bayonets-0ckWHQ1

Some preview photos
PXL_20240713_183543149.jpg
PXL_20240713_183206516.jpg
PXL_20240713_182745252.jpg
PXL_20240713_182248019.jpg

nice bayonets

Good pictures. Nice examples. These are becoming difficult to find and will become more elusive with time, Mike

Seems like they clean up nice except for the EG hangers. Anyone got any tricks for the EG leather being weak and cracking?

Not much you can do with the cracks / spilts on the smooth leather facing. The cracks are caused by the leather drying out. Replacement with a new one and then prevention with leather care products is about the best thing to do. Check with someone who works with leather. Mike

I might have a couple new long ones and the a couple of short variations that are in good condition if you are interested. Mike

I don't buy the Dutch/East German story. These bayonets are way too well made to be just knives made to sell excess scabbards. I made my own comparison and along with the milling and staking, they seem to be a government contract that was never delivered so they were turned out on the surplus market paired with surplus East German scabbards.
Many people regurgitate the Dutch connection story but I've yet to see solid proof of it, and the ones regurgitating it never pair it with any observations of the high quality that went into the manufacture of these bayonets. I also have two AK's and they lock up solidly to both with no issues so the tolerances were obviously strictly adhered to.