Federal Republic of Germany Combat Knives!?

German and DDR AK Bayonets

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Mr. B.
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Federal Republic of Germany Combat Knives!?

Post by Mr. B. »

Recently I have seen pictures of East German (DDR) AKM 6X4 Type II bayonets with orange grips and different markings and hangers. They all seem to have been issued and used. Many had the original matching hand etched numbers. In addition some had new numbers stamped on the scabbard and cross guard. Some had well worn original grey leather hangers and grey fabric wrist straps. A few had green/brown fabric hangers with snap fasteners. A few had inventory/ identification labels attached.

It appears that the new Unified Germany (FRG) took over lots of DDR equipment and tried to integrate it into the combined armed forces. The AK/G36 bayonet and scabbard was one attempt. It appears from the evidence I've found that they also issued and used the AKM bayonets, not as bayonets, but as fighting knives/wire cutters. The label appears to be FRG and translates to Kampfmesser (Combat knife) schwer (heavy) or Heavy fighting knife. They do not inventory or issue them as "Bayonets" as they did not adopt the Kalashnikov firearms to use them on.

Pictured below are: 1. Bayonets with the stamped numbers. 2. The fabric hanger compared with the G36 hanger and a DDR hanger. Note the pebbled snap and that the strap crosses R-L (the DDR ones cross L-R). 3. An I.D. label stuck to the grip and compared to a DDR label. 4. A picture of FRG Bundeswehr troops with both orange and black grip DDR bayonets taped to their LBG. 6. The one I display in my collection. Mike  
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Last edited by Mr. B. on Sat Sep 30, 2017 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mr. B.
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Re: Federal Republic of Germany Combat Knives!?

Post by Mr. B. »

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Unified Germany with AKM Fighting Knife. .jpg
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pwcosol
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Re: Federal Republic of Germany Combat Knives!?

Post by pwcosol »

New (to me) and an interesting aspect of post-reunification use of former DDR bayonets. Seems this may have been the first use of these bayonets as knives, which were supplemented/superseded with Eickhorn KCB77 pattern knives w/wire-cutter capability, and the later FK500 & 1000. I have noticed what appears to be an influx of former E. German AK bayonets turning up for sale. So, is there a resource out there where such an example might be acquired?
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Mr. B.
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Re: Federal Republic of Germany Combat Knives!?

Post by Mr. B. »

Most of the information and my bayonet came from a AK Bayonet Facebook page and other AK bayonet collectors. a few of these FRG-DDR bayonets evidently surfaced recently at a gun/collectors show in the Eastern US, (Knob Creek, KY.?). Whether from an importer, dealer or just an individual is uncertain. Mike
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