Russian AKM 6X4 Type II with Light Weight Pommel

[Mr. B.]

At the end of Russian AKM 6X4 Type II production an attempt to lighten the weight of the bayonet was made. This was done by removing material from the bayonet pommel. One theory is that the pommels of existing bayonets were modified/machined to remove metal from the end of the pommel. There is no providence that this was actually done or how many were modified as prototypes or testing. Another theory is that a new pommel was designed and molds made for a casting using less material. Either way, it appears that these were only produced at the Izhevsk arsenal before the change to the AK74 6X5 bayonets. Below are two different versions of the L.W. pommels from my collection. Mike

[Mr. B.]

[Mr. B.]

Here are pictures of a Russian AKM 6X4 Type II bayonet and scabbard with several modifications including machined lightening of the pommel. I found this item on eBay several years ago. It was advertised as a Russian "Spetsnaz" version with no providence. I added it to my collection as a representative example knowing that it may be a fake or fantasy item. I am showing it here to illustrate how the pommel could be modified by machining / milling. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Pictures showing the difference between the machined/milled pommels and the cast pommels. The machined ones are rounded on only one axis, the cast ones are rounded on all three axis's . Mike

[Brian]

Milled ones imho are almost certainly fakes

[Mr. B.]

I do tend to agree that the one I have is a fake. I received lot's of information about these modifications and the people that were creating them. All circumstantial evidence, but believable, due to pictures of similar modifications on other bayonets.
I do believe that it is possible that the Russians may have been trying to make improvements to and lighten the 6X4 bayonets due to requests from the users. This is obvious as a change was made on the casting of the pommel. The other modifications to provide a more secure attachment of the scabbard to the belt or LBE seems logical. Also reducing the weight and providing a better hand grip by changing the grip. All these thing could easily done by hand by anyone with the right equipment.
I also believe that before going through the time and expense of redesigning the mold for casting the new light weight pommel and making the production change that experimenting and testing was preformed first. It would seem logical that machining/milling of existing pommels would have been done to see if the change was feasible. I have no documentation, but several Russian sources refer to the machined ones being produced in limited quantities at Izhevsk while the change to the new casting was being made. About 15-20 years ago I saw several of the machined ones for sale at various places for around the same price as the others. I passed on them because some thought they were fake, but they were mixed in with regular and cast pommel bayonets. Later some "authorities" thought that there were 2 separate variations, the machined and cast ones with the milled ones being rarer.
I seemed to me to be a waste of time to take a nice matching bayonet and modify it. It would require removing, milling, (having the right machinery), repainting and reinstalling the pommel just in hopes of making a little more money, or having it declared a fake and worthless. Just IMHO.

[pwcosol]

I recall seeing what I believe is the machined example you got, on Ebay several years ago. The machined flats on the sides of the grip were what caught my attention initially. Want to say I saw another with the same grip panels (don't recall if the pommel was lightened or not) and it exhibited moderate service use. Was thinking of taking a shot at one or the other, but the thought was at the time from some other collectors were they either faux or someone's field modifications as opposed to issue, so opted out.

[Mr. B.]

Yes. I saw 3-4, or more, similar "Spetsnaz" bayonets like this listed on Ebay over a 2-3 year time period, 10-15 years ago. Some had the modified grips, (some with individual finger grooves), metal hangers and the machined pommel in various combinations. There were even variations in the machining of the pommel with the radius cuts in different positions. The first ones listed were in the $250. - $500. dollar range. later as they were determined to be hand made fakes the prices dropped. I finally weakened and bought one with all three modifications as a representable sample for about what a nice complete matching Izhevsk or Tula bayonet was selling for at the time. It came from a seller in Minnesota with a Russian sounding name who said it was his personal bayonet!?

[Dragur2791]

These are the two light weight pommels i currently hold in my collection.

[Mr. B.]

Recently a question was asked about a Tula version of the Russian AKM 6X4 Type III bayonet and scabbard. Here are some more detailed pictures of the Russian AKM 6X4 Type III pommels with the wrist straps removed. They are of the bayonets at the top of this topic and a milled version, (fake !?). They are all from the Izhevsk arsenal and have different markings. The last picture is of three Type III pommels, note the unique mold numbers and cast marks. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Here are some borrowed illustrations showing the different pommels used on the Russian AKM 6X4 Type I, II and III bayonets from both Tula and Izhevsk. Whether the early machined versions or the later cast ones, the specifications remained the same. It seems that Tula used what I will call a flat ended grip, while Izhevsk used a stepped ended grip. The pommels on these will not interchange. Later versions of the Tula grip were changed to the stepped ended grip pattern like the Izhevsk ones.
For some reason when Izhevsk began production of the Type III bayonet they reverted to the early Tula flat ended grip pattern. They will interchange, but not with the Tula and Izhevsk ones with the stepped grip.
This seems strange to me as the pommel for the stepped ended grip is inherently lighter due to the additional recess or hollow in the pommel. Why would they choose a heavier pattern to lighten externally? Mike

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[RPBCPS]

Mike,
Thanks for two very informative posts.
Attached are some photos of my 6X4 with the light weight pommel

As you can see no serial numbers on the bayonet or the scabbard.

Stay safe
Richard

[RPBCPS]

More shots

Stay safe
Richard

[Mr. B.]

That is the first one I have seen without numbers. New and un-issued. I like collecting them that way. Nice find, I'm envious! Mike

[RPBCPS]

Mike,
I bought that about 10 years ago and counted myself fortunate to have found it back then, as not many 'light weight pommel' 6X4's came up on the market in Europe back then.

Stay safe

Richard

[Mr. B.]

Has anyone else noticed the difference in the wrist strap hole in the pommel of the Type III with the lightened version. The Regular Russian AKM 6X4 Type I and II bayonet pommels have an oblong hole which is slightly angled, The Type III is also an oblong hole, but it is parallel to the axis of the handle. See the pictures and illustrations above. Mike

[Dragur2791]

Here are my NOS unnumbered light weight pommels. All in like new condition with very clear ink stamps.

[Dragur2791]

Few other pics

[Mr. B.]

Nice group of new, un-numbered, unissued bayonets and scabbards. These are usually extra production, held in reserve as needed as replacements. They sometimes end up as "New Old Stock" as they are replaced by new designs.
Notice the one with arsenal mark on the R. side of the grip. It may represent different production periods, (early vs late?), or just what was on hand when assembled? I believe the triangle on the grip side is earlier than the ones on the front bevel. Regardless, very impressive!
Mike

[mill_speer]

The Izhmash logo on the scabbard would be interesting.