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DDR bayonet AKM Type 1 - verify

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 12:25 am
by rogueX18
Greetings to all!

I recently acquired what seems to be an East German DDR AKM Type 1 bayonet.
The rubber insulator has the 5998 number.
The bayonet itself (the blade and hilt) has the serial number HG 7920, and the number 6 or 9 on the back od the hilt. Inside the grip is the letter (N) or (Z), and on the ricasso proof mark - rectangle K5.
The scabbard has no visible markings nor serial number except for two proof marsk - letter (B) on one side, and something similar to letter E on the other side.

Is it a legit East German bayonet? From what I could find out, it seems to be the case.
Also, is it normal to have the serial number electropenciled not on the ricasso, but at the end of the grip?
And is there such a thing as matching numbers for the Type 1 bayonet or no?

Any help is appreciated.

Link for the photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bw79b9febxtl ... LHT7a?dl=0

Re: DDR bayonet AKM Type 1 - verify

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 2:57 am
by Mr. B.
I will verify that it is a legit East German, (DDR), AKM 6X3 type I bayonet and scabbard. It is a later issue and most common Type I before they went to the Type II scabbard. Your rubber insulator is a later issue 5998 followed by a dot. The earlier ones did not have the dot, they are different. The bayonet serial number is in the mounting groove on the pommel. The painted 6 or 9 on the pommel is none-standard personal, rack, or unit number. The "N" and "Z" are assembly proof marks. The "K5" in the rectangle on the cross guard is the manufactures mark. They were manufactured by several different companies. The "B" and "E" on the scabbard and cutter plate are also assembly proof marks. The scabbards are usually marked with the last three digits of the bayonet serial numbers. They are hand etched on the top front of the scabbard body hidden from view by the rubber insulator. Yes, they should be matching if possible. Below are pictures of a similar bayonet & scabbard from my collection. Hope this answers your questions. Mike
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IMG_0235.JPG (47.15 KiB) Viewed 10455 times
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Re: DDR bayonet AKM Type 1 - verify

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 6:37 pm
by Mr. B.
PS: You missed a circle "K" assembly proof mark on your scabbard. It's on the lower edge of the scabbard body next to one of the rivets. Mike

Re: DDR bayonet AKM Type 1 - verify

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 5:24 pm
by rogueX18
Thank you so much, Mr. B.
This is far more than I ever expected! Thank you very much for your help.

Just one quick follow-up question: Is it possible that the scabbards were sometimes not electropenciled with the serial number? I didn't not remove the insulator, however I looked on both sides and on the upper an lower "lip", but no electropenciled number.

Again, I am grateful for the information you gave me.

Kind regards,

Marko

Re: DDR bayonet AKM Type 1 - verify

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 9:47 pm
by Mr. B.
The Germans were very consistent in their markings. When a bayonet and scabbard where issued they were both numbered to a rifle. The placement and style of numbering was usually the same. A scabbard without a number could be a replacement for a damaged or missing scabbard. If this was an official DDR replacement though it would have been numbered. However lots of new un-numbered scabbards were available after the DDR collapsed and were sold along with the bayonets and used by several other countries. The scabbard could have been replaced at any point. Mike