Kalashnikov Bayonets of the World

Recently I have been doing some research on the manufacture and numbering of the Polish AK47 bayonets. I have translated and studied information from several references, but still have a few questions. Here is what I know, or think I know about them so far. Poland started using AK47 rifles and bayonets imported from Russia with Russian markings and numbering. They then received a license and began to make there own rifles and bayonets in 1957. They did not make the Russian scabbard, but adapted the scabbards they already made for the Wz. 55 fighting knives.
The first bayonets were dated 1957 and serial numbered with a "P" prefix and 3 numbers. The P was thought to indicate Prototype or Proof and only 100 were made, (highest # I have seen is P 089). Next came actual 1957 production serial numbered with an "A" prefix and 5 numbers. The A was to indicate Army or Arsenal and only about a 1000 were made, (highest# I've confirmed is A 01007).
In 1958 full production was started dated 1958 and serial numbered with the "A" prefix and 5 numbers. It is unknown if they started with A 00001 or continued with the numbering from 1957. This numbering was supposedly was a rotating sequential numbering from 00001 to 99999 and starting over. Supposedly they were not numbered to match the rifles. There is an issue with this as I have not been able to confirm numbers over A 44131 yet over 300K rifles were produced. This presents the possibility that numbering was restarted each production year similar to the numbering of the rifles. International law requires that firearms numbers include year of production. I have been unable to confirm production years and quantities of the AK47 rifles from 1958 until they changed over to the AKM rifles and bayonets in 1967-68.
Also 1958 dated bayonets have been found serial numbered with a "Z" and 4 numbers. The Z was thought to indicate Zastapienie, (override, replacement, substitution), These were for police, militia, reserve units and army replacement They could have been a single production run or a percentage of each year's production? My research would indicate would indicate about 10% of "A" production, (highest# I have confirmed is Z 3997). Yhe question is this a total or yearly production?
Any information, thoughts, theories, or opinions regarding these bayonets would be appreciated. Also having a record of known serial numbers of the rifles and bayonets would help. What serial numbers do you all have? Mike

Mike,

I have 1957 A00025, 1958 A00802, 1958 A34597, and 1970 11112. BTW, the 1970 hanger is riveted instead of sewn and the thorn is brass and the 1957 hanger is dark brown leather instead of natural tan. I need a scabbard and hanger for 1958 A00802.

Martin

My 1958:

A21267

Martin's 1958 A00802 may be the 1st one and would indicate that they restarted the numbers after the 1957 "A" production. Or it could be one of 3 or more minimum repeated numbers needed to match the 300,000+ rifles produced. If the numbering was restarted every year of AK47 production it could have been over 8 to 10 years and even more duplicate numbers. Production started in 1958 and could have continued until the late 1960's when they changed to AKM rifles, bayonets and scabbards. Repeated numbering and probably not of much importance to collectors. The "Z" prefix bayonets were probably numbered the same way with repeated 4 digit numbers, just a lot fewer made. Mike

It has been over 2 weeks since this post was started. First, I need to make a correction. The 1957 "A" production had an A and only 4 numbers, not 5. Below are serial numbers that have been recorded.
So far I have 4 1957 "P" series: P068, P069, P081, P089.
8 1957 "A" series; A0006, A0025, A0026, A0033, A0144, A0238, A1003, A1007.
3 1958 "Z" series; Z0987, Z3315, Z3997
23 1958 "A" series; 9 from 00001 - 10000, 3 from 10001 - 20000, 5 from 20001 - 30000, 3 from 30001 - 40000, 3 from 40001 - 50000. Lowest was A00802, highest was A44131
Mike

I will check mine asap

This is an up date on the Polish AK47 bayonet serial numbers. I have received 14 more 1958 "A" numbers. All spread out, but no new high or low numbers. We seem to have many 1957 "P" and "A" numbers for no more that were made. However I still only have three 1958 "Z" numbers. Are the "Z" bayonets really that rare? Mike

I sadly have no 1957 polish bayonet, but i have few marked 1958 and 1970:

1958 A marked : A01038 / A05131 / A11102
1958 Z marked : Z0880 / Z1587

1970 A originally marked : A11000 with 11333 stamped over it (no letter)

It has been over 2 months since this post was started. First, I need to make a correction. The 1957 "A" production had an A and only 4 numbers, not 5. Below are serial numbers that have been recorded.
So far I have 4 1957 "P" series: P068, P069, P081, P089.
8 1957 "A" series; A0006, A0025, A0026, A0033, A0144, A0238, A1003, A1007.
7 1958 "Z" series; Z0987, Z3315, Z3997, Z1200, Z4049, Z0880, Z1587
32 1958 "A" series; 14 from 00001 - 10000, 6 from 10001 - 20000, 5 from 20001 - 30000, 5 from 30001 - 40000, 3 from 40001 - 50000. Lowest was A00802, highest was A44131

I would appreciate seeing the serial numbers of these bayonets from everyone's collections. It makes it interesting to see what's out there and helps document what we think we know about them.

Mike

Here's mine:

We recently bought a group of 1958 bayonets (30 in total). Out of that lot, 26 had the "A" prefix and 4 had the "Z" prefix. The bayonets were in good condition with both red and dark colored grips.

Here are the serial numbers:

26 1958 "A" series; A00990, A01531, A02341, A02825, A04844, A04912, A05550, A05804, A06387, A11784, A13356, A13664, A14482, A19049, A22649, A24064, A24590, A26956, A29464, A36155, A36224, A38737, A39531, A40001, A41916, A42921

4 1958 "Z" series; Z0463, Z1054, Z1056, Z3618



Link to Imgur gallery with more photos: https://imgur.com/a/tqwmk2e

Mark

Awesome collection. Are you selling?

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Apr 15, 2023 12:08 pm Awesome collection. Are you selling?

Hi Brian,

Apologies for any confusion, this is not my collection. This was a batch of bayonets myself and a few others bought as part of a group buy. They all have homes already but I will pass along this thread to the them.

As for myself, this is my first time buying an AK bayonet. I am not currently selling at this time.

This is a total breakdown of the serial numbers that have been submitted or collected.
A total of 124 numbers were found.

Date. Quantity. Number range (low-high). Percentage of tota

1957. 4 P015 - PO89. .03% Note: Est. Only 100 made.

1957. 8. A00006 - A01007. .06% Note: Est. Only 1000 made.

1958. 97. A00224 - A44131. 79%

1958. 15. Z0044 - Z4049. 12%. Note: For Reserve. Est. 10% of each 1958 order / contract. Numbers recycled?

Breakdown of 1958 A code production.

35. A00224 - A09187. 28%.
17. A10657 - A19958 14%.
18. A20737 - A29831. 15%.
19. A30972 - A39629. 16%.
8. A40010 - A44131. 6%

These numbers were recycled with each order / contract. Over 300,000 were produced over an 8 - 10 year period. For example if the yearly orders averaged 40,000 each, it would take 8 years to produce 329,000. Mike

FYI. 1970 marked bayonets had no consistent numbering or placement. No one seems to know where or when they were individually numbered. Many have no numbers, Unissued? Mike

Like Santa and birthdays, I come around at least once a year.

Here is a 1970 I recently received

Here is the gallery of pictures: https://imgur.com/a/UXhyWnn

I can get additional pictures if requested. There is a distinct lack of proof marks on this bayonet compared to the 1958s I have. The stamp on the spine reads "29 - 76"

Hi Dange, Nice find! The Polish AK47 bayonets and scabbards with the 1970 dates are somewhat scarce. This post section is primarily concerning the “P” “A” and “Z” production / serial numbers. If you are interested in more info and pictures of 1970’s go down to and click on “ Poland” on the home page. Scroll down and click on to the heading “Polish AK47 Bayonet & Scabbard Variations”. Scroll and Enjoy!
By the way, one of our members in Germany has a Polish 1970 with the numbers 71-76 on the blade hilt. See below. Regards, Mike

Mr. B. wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 1:52 am Hi Dange, Nice find! The Polish AK47 bayonets and scabbards with the 1970 dates are somewhat scarce. This post section is primarily concerning the “P” “A” and “Z” production / serial numbers. If you are interested in more info and pictures of 1970’s go down to and click on “ Poland” on the home page. Scroll down and click on to the heading “Polish AK47 Bayonet & Scabbard Variations”. Scroll and Enjoy!
By the way, one of our members in Germany has a Polish 1970 with the numbers 71-76 on the blade hilt. See below. Regards, Mike
IMG_3771.jpeg

Mike, thank you for pointing me in that direction!