Polish scabbard wire cutter

[croblade]

Here are two different types of scabbard wire cutters I found on Polish 6h4 bayonets.

[Mr. B.]

The two older style scabbards on the left have an extra plate/ridge on the outside of the stop on the end of the cutter plate. The there newer scabbards have a smaller simpler stop. Mike

[Brian]

How many distinct generations have you identified in these Mike (including the black ones)

[Mr. B.]

The first three on the left represent the bayonets made by Radom for the Polish military from !973 to the 1990s. These three have the Polish military proof markings. The one on the far left has the 5 digit serial numbers which carried over from the previous 6H3 production and the old style cutter stop. The 2nd from the left has the newer 4 digit numbers, but still has the old style cutter stop. The middle one has the 4 digit numbers and the new revised/simplified cutter stop. The two on the right were not made for or issued to the Polish military, but made up by Radom for the international (export) or collectors markets. The one on the left is the same as the previous military ones and may have been made up using NOS parts. The one on the right is the same basic bayonet but made of new materials and by new methods. Mike