Bayonet Collectors’ Network

Finland

Pictures

Type

Description

Blade Length

Overall Length

Muzzle Ring Diameter

Markings

M1939

M1939

M1939

M1939

M1939

M1939

M1939

M1939

M1939

Knife bayonet used with the 7.62 x 54R caliber M1939 Mosin-Nagant rifle. Will also mount to the M1927, M1928, and M1928/30 rifles.

The M1939 was an early attempt to produce a dual-purpose bayonet-knife.  As a result, both the bayonet and the green leather scabbard, bear a strong resemblance to a common utility knife.  The Arctic Birch grip is one-piece, wrapping around the lower tang, as was done on the early German M1898 bayonets.

10,000 bayonets were produced in 1941-1942 by Oy Veljekset Kulmala Ab for the Civil Guard (Suojeluskuntain yliesikunta or Sk.Y).  Most of these bayonets were destroyed for scrap, making surviving original examples scarce today.

Veljekset Kulmala (Kulmala Brothers) was established in 1927 and is still in business today. They manufacture and import equipment and ladders for rescue and fire fighting. Their current product line includes equipment for both professionals and household use.

The M1939 bayonet has been reproduced in quantity for sale to U.S. collectors.  Some (not all) reproductions are blued or are marked with a year of production (e.g., 1999) to avoid their being passed off as originals. The maker mark is very hard to reproduce and fakes may have the four periods omitted or have the first and last letters overhang the blade.

7.125

11.50

.645

Ricasso (left):  “O.Y. Veljekset Kulmala A.B.”

Ricasso (right): “Sk.Y”

Crosspiece:  “S” (Civil Guard acceptance mark)

Scabbard:  “Sk.Y”

M1962

M1962

M1962

M1962

M1962

Knife bayonet for use with the Rynnäkkökivääri (assault rifle) 62 & 76 series produced by Valmet.  The Rk62 & Rk76 are variants of the Kalashnikov AK-47. Dark parkerized clip-point blade with grey-green molded plastic grip. The riveted green scabbard is stiff and pebble-grained,  perhaps made of reindeer leather.

This example was produced by the world-famous Fiskars Corporation (the orange-handled scissors people).

The bayonet and scabbard are patterned closely on the traditional Finnish Puukko knife and also bear a strong resemblance to an American sportsmen's fishing knife. Unlike most bayonets, the M1962 is factory-sharpened and it's blade steel holds a fine edge.

The Rk62 and Rk76 series are generally accepted to be the most sophisticated refinement of the AK-47 design, manufactured with a level of fit and finish comparable to the best western arms. Having fired the Rk 71 myself, I can attest that these rifles truly are the Rolls-Royce of AK-47s.

6.25

11.50

n/a

Right Grip:  "Fiskars"

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