Chinese AK47 Bayonet and Scabbard Variations

[Mr. B.]

The Chinese did not adopt or issue an AK47 bayonet and scabbard. They adopted the Type 56 Kalashnikov rifle, (AK47), but early production had no means to mount a bayonet and on later production they used the folding spike bayonet. The Chinese did manufacture a limited number of various AK47 bayonets and scabbards for export sales to the commercial/collectors market. I consider these bayonets as replicas/reproductions of other ComBloc country's bayonets as they are not actual military issue. Below are two examples of these bayonets. They vary in blade finish from dull, (phosphate?), to bright. The wood grip panels vary in finish from light to dark, plain or varnished. These bayonets were primarily imported to the USA with AK47 rifle reproductions or for sale individually. Some are marked "CHINA", others are not. There are no other markings on the bayonet. They have scabbards without a tension spring or retaining rivet and a drain hole in the front side. The scabbard point flange is very small and the hanger bracket is a thin split single bar. The hanger is a khaki fabric with a thin brown leather hilt strap that points left and is sewn on. The strap has a brown or black painted snap fastener. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Here is another more recent Chinese AK47 bayonet replica/reproduction. It is advertised as a replica of an early "Bulgarian" AK47 bayonet and comes with non-replica fabric scabbard. The dimensions and weight are very close to an original AK47 bayonet and it can be mounted on an AK47 rifle. It is well made and the hilt is fully functional in fit and finish. The grip panels that come with it are wood, (oriental Chu wood?). The blade is the same dimensions and overall profile as an original. However the true and false edge grinding and the fullers are different. The most glaring difference is that the blade is finished black and marked "CHINA". To make it complete, and show interchangeability, I replaced the grips with a set of new plastic old stock Russian ones and added an original New old stock scabbard. Not a true collectable, but a fun piece.
Mike

[Trombi]

This last one is very nice refurbished.