Chinese Type 81 Bayonet and Scabbard

[Mr. B.]

This is a Chinese Type 81 Type Bayonet and Scabbard. Although the Type 81 rifle is not a true Kalashnikov rifle it is a Chinese re-design based on the earlier Type 56 which was. The Type 81 was adopted as a complete weapons system and includes this new bayonet design. This bayonet mounts on only this series of rifle and no other Kalashnikov rifle. The version below is the original Military issue bayonet and scabbard. There have been other versions available, but these appear to have been copies made up for the collectors market. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Here are some additional, more detailed pictures of Type 81 Bayonet. Note the thinness of the grip and pommel. The muzzle ring is a larger diameter and thinner than other AK bayonets. The dimensions of the pommel mounting surfaces and catch are also different. There is a different style anti-twist lug machined on the back of the cross guard that protrudes into the muzzle ring area. Other things to note are that the grip pin near the muzzle appears to be aluminum as it is bright and non-magnetic. The crossguard is secured to the blade with one small flush rivet. The pommel is secured to the grip by both a small rivet and a staked flush machine screw. Of special note is that this dull finished blade is for thrusting only, sharpened only at the point. The blade edges are flat and not sharpened. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Here are a few more detailed Type 81 Bayonet pictures. Side views of the pommel and a blade edge view showing that it is flat and unsharpened. Mike

[Mr. B.]

This is the Type 81 Bayonet Scabbard. The body is molded in one piece of green plastic and has a removable spring steel retaining spring. It has bright metal hanger upper ring to attach to a belt hanger. It looks like aluminum, but must be an alloy as it is magnetic. However it is attached to the one piece laminated vinyl hanger by two aluminum rivets. The belt loop is secured with a single steel rivet. The hilt strap closes with a metal snap fastener wit h a large embossed star. Mike

[Brian]

Don't suppose anyone has a good comparison between a military one of these and one of the commercial "tourist" export pieces?

[Mr. B.]

Here are some pictures I've found online. It appears someone in China (?), has been making up some replicas of the Chinese PLA Type 81 bayonet and scabbard. Most of these seem to be available in small lots from the same importer who lists them on eBay. Some come in presentation boxes and there are lots of different variations in components and finishes. Most have different machining on the blades, more precise fullers, both edges with full length sharpening and finishes from bright to black. The pommel and cross guard painted gloss black. The grips are found with marbling and dark almost black. The scabbard bodies are polished smooth with no mold marks. The top band is different in shape and holes and the hangers are vinyl or leather. No two groups seem the same. This same importer / dealer does occasionally have some that may well be original at times. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Here are some pictures that were recently on eBay of a Chinese PLA Type 85. I have not found any documentation of pictures to confirm is this is an actual military issue bayonet and scabbard. It appears to be a revised Type 81 bayonet that includes a wire cutter and may be insulated against electrical charges as well. This is from the same importer / dealer who has the presentation Type 81 bayonets. Same general shape as the 81 and the muzzle ring and pommel catch mounting seems the same, but all else is different. Mike

[Mr. B.]

A few more pictures.

[Mr. B.]

This is another version of a Chinese Type 81 Bayonet. It is a standard PLA bayonet that has been modified to fit on a different rifle. When these bayonets were first imported in the 1990s, no one seemed to know what they were and they didn't fit on any available rifles. Except for a few collectors no one had any use for them. They were worthless as a knife or bayonet and considered cheap Chinese junk. Someone came up with an ingenious idea to convert a batch of them to fit on a U.S. M1 .30 Carbine. They welded a metal donut inside the muzzle ring and a metal plate on top of the pommel. On some they also sharpened the lower or both blade edges. I have never had one of these as I considered the Type 81 as a first cousin to an AK bayonet to start with and had no interest in a modified one so not sure if they ever did mount on a rifle. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Here is yet another "collectors" version of the Chinese Type 81 bayonet and scabbard. The following 10 pictures are from the past on eBay. Note the following differences from the PLA military issued ones. The pommel is a slightly different shape, cast and not machined, painted gloss black not blued. The pommel machine screws are not staked. The crossguard is thicker and painted black. The grips are a uniform smooth polished brown and appear to be soft plastic. The blade has different fullers, the edges sharpened and has been polished bright. The scabbard body has been polished smooth with no mold marks. Mike

[Mr. B.]

[Mr. B.]

For easier comparison, here's a close-up of an original Type 81 machined and blued pommel verses a "collectors" version, cast and painted black. Mike

[Brian]

Excellent info, thanks Mike.

[Mr. B.]

This picture goes with the previous post referring to the original Chinese PLA Type 81 bayonet converted to fit on a different rifle. This picture shows the thick metal washer, (donut), welded into the muzzle ring.

[ilian]

Mine

[ilian]

[Mr. B.]

Very nice! Looks like an original PLA military issue to me. Mike

[MDIvie]

I have an original Type 81 and one modified for the M1 Carbine. The modified one actually will lock up on an M1 Carbine.
I have had the carbine modified version for over 15 years. It is in a bright green scabbard.
My original version's scabbard is more of an olive green color and I have a spare scabbard in the same color. Pictures when I get time.

[mill_speer]

China T. 81 Modifiziert auf M.1
Totaler Unsinn!
Da schreibt einer von anderen ab, ohne das vorher, im Geringsten, auch nur ansatzweise zu überprüfen.

[Mr. B.]

Gerhard, there is a BIG difference between the US M1 Garand rifle bayonet (M1 bayonet) )that you picture above and the US M1 carbine, The modified Chinese T81 you picture above will mount on the M1 carbine which takes the smaller M4 bayonet. Mike