This bayonet was made in Germany, under contract for the Portuguese government. The bayonet is a German M1884/98 III, made on the same production line as those used by the Wehrmacht. This example bears German government acceptance marks (waffenampts), signifying that it met German government acceptance standards.

There were two Portuguese contracts, one in 1937 and another in 1941. This example is from the second contract, as is evidenced by the serial number on the crosspiece and the WaA 883 inspection stamps. First contract examples have the serial number on the pommel and bear WaA 253 inspection stamps.

The scabbard is an original Portuguese-contract scabbard, as evidenced by the abbreviated serial number on the frog stud (letter prefix and last two-digits).

Unlike bayonets produced for the German Army, these bayonets have no maker markings.  The inspection teams represented by WaA 253 and WaA 883, covered many of the large Solingen blade makers, so it is not known which firm produced these bayonets.

This bayonet is a conversion of the M1904 bayonet, done in 1938.

According to bayonet author/researcher Dennis Ottobre, the conversion consisted of having the hilt cut in half across the tang, a new crossguard with high mounted 15mm muzzle ring installed (replacing the original completely) and then the tang was shortened and rewelded with new shorter grips installed. With all the cutting and welding it was necessary to reblue them entirely. 

Often overlooked fact on these is that they fit an M95 Steyr straight pull rifle and carbine. The SMG was originally configured to accept the M95 Steyr bayonet and when Portugal bought the guns they must have found it more economical to rework their existing obsolete M1904 bayonets over purchasing the Austrian bayonets.

The m/948 was produced from 1948-1955. Fabrico Braco de Prata (Silver Arms Factory) was a State-owned arms factory in Lisbon. Today, FBP is known as INDEP - Indústrias Nacionais de Defesa, EP (Defense National Industries, Public Corporation).

The ricasso marking Armamento Marhina (Naval Armament), suggests that this example was produced for the Portuguese Navy. It's condition and the absence of a serial number indicates that this example was likely never issued.

The m/948 was the only indigenous submachinegun used by Portugal. It enjoyed a long service life, seeing combat service in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portuguese India and Timor.

Unlike most modern bayonets, which mount below the rifle’s barrel, this bayonet mounts inverted above the barrel. The one-piece wooden grip is unique and wraps almost completely around the hilt. The only marking is the triangular Artillerie Inrichtingen trademark. The scabbard is closely patterned after the familiar U.S. M8A1 scabbard.

I corresponded with the Dutch Army Museum, regarding production of the AR-10 bayonet. Only 1,556 AR-10 rifles and bayonets were delivered to Portugal. A few more were produced for use in Dutch Army trials, bringing total production of this bayonet to approximately 1,600 pieces.

Low production numbers and extensive combat service have made surviving specimens of this bayonet scarce. 

The AR-10 saw nearly two decades of combat service with Portuguese special forces fighting insurgents in Angola and Mozambique. See my presentation, The Portuguese AR-10 Bayonet, for more information and pictures of the AR-10 bayonet in use by Portuguese troops in Angola and Mozambique.

Based on the British Pattern 1937 frog, the Portuguese design incorporates a snap closure on the hilt strap.

Measures 6.50 in. (165 mm.) long by 1.187 in. (30 mm.) wide. This frog was not classified by Carter.

Offset design incorporates a belt hanger that positions the frog at a 45-degree angle. Portugal adopted this concept in the 19th Century, for use by horse cavalry. This modern frog was most likely intended for use by mechanized troops.

The frog measures 4.75 in. (121 mm.) long by 1.187 in. (30 mm.) wide. The belt hanger measures 5.50 in. (140 mm.) long by 2.25 in. (57 mm.) wide. This frog was not classified by Carter.