Is it Russian or Finnish AK47 bayonet?

[rakysk]

Hello everyone,
my first post here I collect mostly WWII era and older bayonets, but found this AK47 bayonet and ......I like it.
Online search brought me here and after going thru several posts, I narrowed it down that it is Russian or Finnish bayonet and scabbard (well, at least I hope).
So here are pictures and can someone please clarify what country is this bayonet from? Thanks in advance.

[Mr. B.]

Hi rakysk. Welcome to the forum.

This AK47 bayonet looks like it has been issued and used, but still in decent condition. From what I can see in the pictures, It was manufactured at the Izhevsk arsenal in Russia to fill an export contract with Finland. This can be confirmed by the arrow in triangle Izhevsk arsenal mark on the left side of the cross guard. The serial numbers are in a straight line at an angle on the left side of the pommel in the Finnish style. It is not Russian issued as it is missing the CB in the flattened diamond Russian military acceptance mark on the right side of the pommel.
The scabbard may also be Finnish by association with the bayonet, but it is difficult to confirm. I would believe it is Russian made for Finland if there is no drain hole at the point of the scabbard. Difficult to see in the pictures. The scabbard body has been reworked /refinished at some point in time and the hanger replaced with a hand made non-standard replacement. The original rivet at the throat of the scabbard that holds the tension spring in place has been crudely ground off and replaced. The entire body has also been refinished making ID difficult. The hanger makes it interesting as it is obviously a non-original one-off hand made item. Possibly a field expedient replacement as it conforms to no standard issue one. Gives it character.

Mike

[Clemmer]

Congrats on a great looking bayonet, Rakysk. It almost looks like brand new.

[rakysk]

Hi rakysk. Welcome to the forum.

This AK47 bayonet looks like it has been issued and used, but still in decent condition. From what I can see in the pictures, It was manufactured at the Izhevsk arsenal in Russia to fill an export contract with Finland. This can be confirmed by the arrow in triangle Izhevsk arsenal mark on the left side of the cross guard. The serial numbers are in a straight line at an angle on the left side of the pommel in the Finnish style. It is not Russian issued as it is missing the CB in the flattened diamond Russian military acceptance mark on the right side of the pommel.
The scabbard may also be Finnish by association with the bayonet, but it is difficult to confirm. I would believe it is Russian made for Finland if there is no drain hole at the point of the scabbard. Difficult to see in the pictures. The scabbard body has been reworked /refinished at some point in time and the hanger replaced with a hand made non-standard replacement. The original rivet at the throat of the scabbard that holds the tension spring in place has been crudely ground off and replaced. The entire body has also been refinished making ID difficult. The hanger makes it interesting as it is obviously a non-original one-off hand made item. Possibly a field expedient replacement as it conforms to no standard issue one. Gives it character.

Mike

Mike,

Thank you for detailed information about this bayonet and scabbard. Just to confirm, there is no drain hole at the point of the scabbard.
Did not think about hanger being hand made replacement. Strap is long enough to go around 2 handles Now I know why.

[rakysk]

Congrats on a great looking bayonet, Rakysk. It almost looks like brand new.

Thanks Clemmer. Bayonet is quite used, but still in good shape.

[ilian]

No hole in the scabbard, scales coloration, and numbering are typic for an export variant.

So for me, no doubt, it's an export variant made by Izhevsk arsenal but hard to say for which country? Egypt? Cuban?

[Mr. B.]

I agree, export variation. Usually I consider them either 1st or 2nd contract to Finland due to the style and placement of the numbers. The 1st contract had the 2 bar scabbard, the later contract had the one piece sheet metal hanger bracket. Both had the fabric hanger sewn to the leather hilt loop. Since the hanger on this scabbard is replacement, no confirmation. I also had questions as it was obviously issued and well used. I far as I know the Finland never issued or used these AK47 bayonets. Most of the ones I've seen are in new condition. Perhaps Finland sold or trade them to another country. Did Russia also provide these complete bayonet to other countries? I do know they supplied parts to other ComBloc countries as they began production. Completed ones exported to Egypt, Cuba, Hungary, etc. or other countries? I've always wondered, how would they be identified? Mike

[MDIvie]

Mike,

Trying to ID which country a Russian export bayonet was sent to is near impossible. East Germany used Russian T2 and T3 AK's and the bayonets until they could get production going but I have no idea how to tell a Russian AK or bayonet issued to them unless maybe they have an NVA stamp on them somewhere. Finland is the only country that I no the style tells on the export models are very well documented.