Very interesting pictures and comparisons. As a rule, I try to collect only military issue bayonets that can be attached to a rifle. I did acquire a Russian 6X5 (Type III) with a pin in the muzzle ring by accident a few years back. I couldn't see the pin in the pictures and bought it because of the unusual stamped serial number on the blade ricasso. After seeing the above pictures I dug out an issued black 6X5 and my pinned one and compared them with the pictures. After close examination I observed the following:
1. All three bayonets appear to have been made on Russian equipment, (Izhevsk?). All appear pretty much identical and with similar mold marks. The differences are that the pinned one has had a vertical hole drilled the muzzle ring, a pin or rivet inserted and the black painted finish touched up. The pinned one has a production inspection mark, but is missing the military proof mark, (OTK). It has a stamped serial number on the blade and is without the hand etched issue number on the side of the cross guard. The souvenir one appears to have been made on the original equipment right down to the mold mark, and if not original, it is a very close copy. Perhaps a special contract or production run as a strictly souvenir? There are no inspection or proof marks, and the blade finish and laser engraving are an obvious difference. The pinned one appears to have been pulled from the military production line before final military acceptance, pinned and numbered to be sold as a legal hunting knife in Russia!?
2. All three scabbards appear to have been made on Russian equipment as well, (Izhevsk!). Again all appear pretty much identical with similar mold and arsenal marks. This is especially true of the military and pinned one as they both have the same inspection and military acceptance marks. The souvenir one has no inspection or acceptance marks. The different minor variations between all three can easily be attributed to the different molds used during production.
3. All three hangers appear to be basically the same. The military and pinned ones appear identical and from the same production. on the souvenir one the leather texture is slightly different and it is dyed black all the way through. The metal bracket, rivets and the hook ring are all different in formation and appear to be almost hand made copies. The hook is also wrong in that it has a small ridge on the rear.
One more observation, it is quite possible that the souvenir could be a knock off copy. In the pictures, the color, texture and finish of the molded parts of both the bayonet and scabbard, appear different than the Russian military production ones. Perhaps a cheaper, easier to mold plastic than the electrical insulating, heat resistant material used fore military issue. Perhaps on old surplus molds purchased from Russia? Also the metal parts could be made from softer metal as the would not have to be functional?
Pictured below are one of my Russian black 6X5 bayonets, (left), and a pinned 6X5 knife, (Right). Mike
