Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Iraqi AK Bayonets

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Mr. B.
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Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

This is an AKM Type II (6X4) bayonet and scabbard manufactured in Iraq and known as a Tabuk. They were built on equipment supplied by the Zastava Arsenal in Yugoslavia and are very close copies to the ones made there. The main differences are the color and different mold marks. M.
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Brian
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Brian »

Differences in colouring...pics from my files, and taken from the 'net so as always if anyone has any problem with them, just let me know.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by croblade »

These are great... I am still looking for few to put them in my collection...
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

Here is another one of my Tabuks. This one is like new, un-numbered and appears unissued. Note the differences from the first one. Visible rivets on the cross guard and the cutter plate weld ground smooth, etc.. Also the different snap hooks on the hangers. M.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by FirearmFrank »

wow i need to start hunting for one of these.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Dragur2791 »

I finally got my self one of these Tabuks. I think its one of the most cool and interesting variations of the 6x4 bakelite design, and this one came with a framed memorandum that explains the location of where it was found.
I think the tabuk is generally hard to obtain here in Europe.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Brian »

Nice provenance! Well done.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Dragur2791 »

Was able to score another Tabuk bayonet, thanks to a member on this forum (thanks Juris ;-D),and this particular piece appears to be of an early production according to the serial number on it. Of noteworthy detail, the blade on this early production has a more shiny mirror finish in opposition to a late production with the more dull surface. I have included a few pics to compare the two production variants.
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Last edited by Dragur2791 on Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Dragur2791 »

Comparison
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Mr. B.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

Very nice Tabuks! Great pictures. The serial numbers on the Tabuks, like most AK bayonets, are issued and matched to a rifle. In most cases they do not have relevance to production dates, (early vs late). The Tabuk numbers are in production blocks that match the production of different types of rifles. In this case the numbers you have do reflect early (1981-85) vs late (1999), but this is not always the case. Mike

Here is a link to the best info on Tabuk serial numbers I have found. https://www.theakforum.net/forums/52-ir ... VJSNbSnFVM
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Dragur2791 »

Thanks for the link Mike. Great elaborated clarification on the subject
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by RPBCPS »

Here is the one I have dug out from my collection, bought back in 2007.
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It does not have a serial number on the scabbard.
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Is this the correct hanger for an Iraqi Tabuk bayonet? It is the one that it came with, when I bought it.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

It could easily be the correct hanger. It is the correct size and shape as the Yugoslavian ones usually found on the Tabuks. However it varies in the details and does not seem to be a standard Yugo made one to me. The leather has rough edges and the "D" ring and hook do not look right. Be that as it may, there is no known standard hanger for the Tabuk hangers. It is unknown if they acquired hangers exclusively from Yugoslavia or if they made some of their own. After all they made the Tabuks on Yugo equipment and yet they are slightly different so why not make their own hangers using parts from various sources. This hanger could possibly be more "correct" than the Yugo supplied ones. IMHO
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by RPBCPS »

Mike,
Thanks again for the feedback.

This one came into my possession via the USA, but not from a combat veteran, I bought it from Martin Ivie.
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by MDIvie »

Mike,

From my observation, there is a known difference between Tabuk and Yugoslav made hangers.
As with Richard's hanger, all of the hangers that I have seen from bayonets captured in the Tabuk factory have hangers that fasten right over left as viewed from the front versus left over right for Yugoslav hangers. There is alos differences in Tbauk made wrist straps vs. Yugoslav made wrist straps.
If I get time over the holidays, I'll try to take and post some comparison pictures.
In any case Yugo hangers and wrist straps on Tabuk bayonets are as correct as Tabuk made hangers and wrist straps in my opinion.

Martin
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

I had not notice the way Richard's hilt strap crossed, just knew it was different than the Yugo made ones. I have been fooled by the hilt strap cross over before. I will have to check mine and my pictures. Looking forward to the wrist strap differences. I have had large quantities of Yugo wrist strap, still have a couple dozen, lots of different variations. Difficult to find two the same. You can see a few of them under the "Yugoslavia" heading. Anxious to see the Iraqi / Tabuk ones. Mike
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by MDIvie »

Wrist Strap Comparison Front
Wrist Strap Comparison Front
Wrist Strap Comaprison Back
Wrist Strap Comaprison Back
The Iraqi strap has a large size single head rivet to form the loop. The rivet on it has areas that are flatted and appear to be hammer marks like it was set without using a seating punch and die. This particular strap is from a non-serial numbers Tabuk bayonet that the source claimed was taken directly from the factory. My serial numbered Tabuk bayonet has a near identical strap but its end is squared off unlike the end of the strap pictured, which is tapered for ease of installation. Material is similar to the Yugoslav material but has a slightly different feel to it.

Yugo strap is standard with the small single head rivet closure for the loop.

I also included the DDR strap since all three are very close in color. The DDR strap has the double headed rivet loop closure and the slot in the end to ease install by using a hooked implement. The DDR strap is also slightly wider than the other 2 straps and is of a looser weave/softer material.

Hope this helps and stirs up some conversation.

Martin
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

Here is a picture of a group of17 Tabuk bayonets and scabbard from another site. I am posting this to show the different variations in color and other small details. Also note the variations in the hangers as mentioned by Martin. They cross both directions. Interesting! Tabuk or not Tabuk? Mike
Iraqi Tabuk Assortment.jpg
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by Mr. B. »

Martin, I agree with the pictures of the wrist straps you posted. The one identified as Iraqi may well be as it is different from any of the Yugo ones I am familiar with. Definitely not DDR. I have had many of them both used and new in sealed DDR inventory packages with labels. Very consistent with only slight fabric color variations and with double headed rivets. There are a lot of differences in the Yugo wrist straps. Again I have had access to large quantities of both new and used ones. I have posted pictures of them under "Yugoslavia" - Yugoslavian AKM Belt Hangers & Wrist Straps. Mike
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Re: Iraqi Tabuk AKM Type II

Post by MDIvie »

Mike, I looked at your post with Yugo wrist straps and didn't see anything that looked exactly like my Iraqi wrist straps.

Martin
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