Kalashnikov Bayonets of the World

I just noticed that we don't have any original Russian AKM 6X3 Type I bayonets and scabbards pictured here. These original items are getting hard to find. The ones that have come on the market the last several years have been Inspected, repaired, reworked, and renumbered, many multiple times. They have been reworked in several countries, (Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, etc.). They have been mixed between early and late production, original arsenals, bayonets and scabbards, parts, hangers and straps replaced. Different types of markings and numbers have been removed and added in different places making it hard to imagine what is original. Below are a couple of original ones from my collection. They are in new condition and are late production from the Izhevsk arsenal. Note that these are what in my opinion would be the ones found in what is known as the "Transitional" versions if mated with a new, early production Type II scabbard. Mike

Here are some close-ups of the first one showing markings. Mike

Here is the second one. Even though the numbers are not too far apart, they are irrelevant as the four digit numbers are constantly being recycled. Mike

And here are the close-ups of the second one showing the markings. Mike

Agree, most found now are so reworked that they are of reduced interest to me. Finding originals matching and unreworked is very difficult.
In fact I think I have more of the very early "square-round back" ones than I do of the standard type 1's

Here are a couple of more unusual Russian AKM 6X3 Type I bayonets that can be found. Due to the unusual shape of the grip panels they are often referred to as "Flat end pommels". They can be found in the same color combinations as the regular round pommel ones. Like most of the 6X3 bayonets that are found they appear to be reworked. There is no evidence of them being installed on non-reworked bayonets, leading many collectors to believe that they were made only for replacement. I tend to agree with that opinion. The dark gripped bayonet below is an early 6X3 with the round strap hook and the arsenal mark(s) on the side of the cross guard. For some unknown reason this one has both the Tula star and the Izhevsk triangle and arrow. The one with the lighter grips has the later squared of strap hook and the Izhevsk arsenal mark on the flat behind the muzzle ring. Mike

Here is a better picture of the one with both arsenal marks. Plus comparison pictures of a flat end 6X3 and a standard round end one. Mike

What makes you think the "square round-back" ones are reworked?
I have 3 of them, and have always thought they are very early type 1's. I'll have to check mine out again, but didn't think they were reworked. One came out of Zimbabwe many years ago.

I used to think the same thing, very early Type 1's. My 1st one I had, the brown one above, I received from a friend from Russia 25+ years ago. Same guy I got the two new unissued Type 1's at the start of this post. It was early due to the round strap hook and the arsenal marks on the side of the crossguard. The scabbard was also a very early style, Both the scabbard and bayonet were obviously reworked with force matched numbers. Since then I have had the opportunity to help sort through and catalog a large number surplus Russian bayonets from Russian and Bulgarian sources. Most are reworks from long term storage. Some were imported by various arms dealers and some others that deal only in general surplus items. I wish I had had the funds and foresight to purchase more than the few I did for my collection as well as a few others for friends and traders. All of the few flat end pommel bayonet I have seen have been reworked and appeared to me to have had the grip panels replaced. The bayonets were obviously well used and reworked and the grips were in much better condition. I added the 2nd squared pommel, the orange one above, much later because it was in such good condition and much later production. The strap hook is angular and the arsenal mark is on top of the crossguard behind the muzzle ring. Again both the bayonet and later style scabbard were reworked with forced matching numbers.

Also I might note that the flat end grips are not only are on both very early and late production of 6X3s, but also found on both Tula and Izhevsk bayonets. I have also heard opinions from several authorities and other forums that they are rework replacements. I am not 100% sure, but the evidence tends to agree. It is my belief that they are supplied by a sub contractor for rework and are similar to the "Window" mark found on type II scabbards and other parts. Were the rifles and scabbards supplied to Zimbabwe new or surplus? Mike

Anyone's guess. They were bought from the Zim army by a British dealer about 15 years ago, who sold them off. I would have expected them to have been from new rifles, but no way to know.

My two non-reworked Izhvesk type 1 bayos. One is of early hanger/scabbard design and is missing its original leather hanger.

Mike,

I have a theory about the double marked bayonets with both Izhevsk and Tula arsenal marks. My belief is that they were produced by one factory and later reworked by the other.

Dragur2791 wrote:My two non-reworked Izhvesk type 1 bayos. One is of early hanger/scabbard design and is missing its original leather hanger.

Are you sure that they are not reworked?

The one with the "plum" grips show a scabbard with grinds marks and certainly a new engraved number, and the police of the number is the same on the crossguard, so for me it's a reworked bayonet.

The one with the orange grips is a non reworked bayonet but the scabbard was remplaced. (The police of number are not the same on the crossguard and the scabbard).

Yes both are renumbered at some point, but not actually reworked.

It's hard to know if they were refurbished or not because if they grind or sand the ancient number and repainted the crossguard they could have change the grips (for the plum one) ?

It engage nothing about the quality of the bayonet you present here, i wouldn't be hurtful.

I will post pics of mine a bit later.

Some pics of mine non reworked late production variant.

MDI, I tend to agree with you. With both the Izhevsk and Tula arsenals marks stamped on the same side of the crossguard it may well have been reworked or possibly assembled new from parts from both arsenals. If it is indeed from rework it would reinforce that fact that the grip panels could have been replaced using the square butt ones? Mike

I still dispute that fact about the square butt ones.
If you look at the article linked previously: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/201 ... Newsletter
he pictures those as correct for the 6x3 type 2

Mr. B. wrote: ↑Wed Sep 12, 2018 11:33 pm Here is a better picture of the one with both arsenal marks.

For me it's not the izhevsk mark next to the Tula star, i alrealy saw tis kind of marks, it's a "T" on a triangle.

Regards.