Received four Iraqi Tabuk bayonets

[corgi]

It's nice to have these things, and one of them is unnumbered

[Mr. B.]

Very nice examples! Obviously these are out of production and getting rarer every day. Hopefully all four of these have matching scabbards and correct hangers? Mr. B.

[corgi]

Three of the Tabuk bayonets have original sheaths and lanyards, but the sheaths are not numbered, and one red Tabuk has a Soviet sheaths

[Mr. B.]

Very interesting information. I have had the opportunity to own and inspect 30 + Tabuks and seen pictures and info of many more. Most were either numbers matched or completely un-numbered. The bayonets and scabbards are made separately then paired together and numbered. Usually they were also numbers matched to a weapon / rifle. Un-numbered bayonets were extra and not assigned to a rifle and not issued. Unusual to see three numbered scabbards with numbered bayonets. It could be that the Iraqis decided that the scabbards were a waste of time to number? One would think that they would have been numbered at the same time and place with the same equipment when they were paired? As a side note, the numbers used on the bayonets could be used to identify rifle production groups. To be continued. Mike

[Mr. B.]

Another thing to consider is that these bayonets and scabbards have been handled by many different people at different times and in different places. People that have little or no knowledge of the items or collecting. Lots of mixed up things came out of Iraq! Anything is possible. I would doubt the Iraqis would have paired a Tabuk with a Russian scabbard during production.It would be interesting to see all the markings / stamps a number on your Russian scabbard. Most likely they were mixed during use or by handling afterward. Missing or damaged scabbards? At least the Russian would appear to match? I had an Hungarian Type I bayonet in an un-numbered Tabuk scabbard. How and why???? As a particular collector, I display only two Tabuks, both new / un-issued. One has matching numbers, the other one is un-numbered. Mike

[Mr. B.]

As for the accessories. Iraq acquires the technology, equipment and materials to make the Tabuk bayonets and scabbards From Yugoslavia. This also included the wrist straps and belt hangers. It appears that the Iraqis imported some. But also made their own. Most of the Yugo straps and hangers were very uniform in appearance. The later production, (Iraqi?), had minor differences in materials, dimensions, and assembly. As an example, in your pictures above. Note that the belt hanger hilt strap on one crosses in a different direction and belt loops are different lengths. There can also be different style leather and other hardware. All very minor, but fun to observe. Mike

[Mr. B.]

For those who are interested in the Iraqi weapons (bayonets & scabbards) serial number ranges can be found here: https://www.theakforum.net/threads/know ... st-1291125
Mike

[corgi]

Another thing to consider is that these bayonets and scabbards have been handled by many different people at different times and in different places. People that have little or no knowledge of the items or collecting. Lots of mixed up things came out of Iraq! Anything is possible. I would doubt the Iraqis would have paired a Tabuk with a Russian scabbard during production.It would be interesting to see all the markings / stamps a number on your Russian scabbard. Most likely they were mixed during use or by handling afterward. Missing or damaged scabbards? At least the Russian would appear to match? I had an Hungarian Type I bayonet in an un-numbered Tabuk scabbard. How and why???? As a particular collector, I display only two Tabuks, both new / un-issued. One has matching numbers, the other one is un-numbered. Mike

Yes, Mr. B, one of the Tabuk has a Soviet scabbard. I thought I made a mistake at first, but after your explanation, I suddenly realized that it is a very matching color

[ilian]

Some iraqi bayonet can be find with matching number on soviet made 6x4 scabbard, here it's just a mix.

[Mr. B.]

Both of you are correct. It is a Russian Izhevsk scabbard. It has the correct Russian mold and inspection marks. In the pictures it appears to be un-numbered. Most Russian bayonets are paired and number matched to rifles at the arsenals. A small percent of bayonet and scabbard production is not numbered to be reserved for replacement and repair. Sometimes the un-numbered unused ones end up in our collections. It is very possible that some un-numbered one could end up in Iraq. It is also possible that Iraq would throw them in with Tabuk bayonets and scabbards to be numbers matched as original or replacements. Mike