Pictures
(click to enlarge)
Type Description
Blade
Length
Overall
Length

Muzzle
Ring
Diameter

Markings
     
in.
mm.
in.
mm.
in.
mm.
 
M1891 Socket bayonet for use with the 7.62 x 54 mm. M1891 Mosin-Nagant rifle. The M1891 was the Russian mainstay during World War I and the Revolution of 1918. 

Although the M1891/30 had superseded the M1891 by the time Russia entered World War II, the M1891 was widely used during the Second World War as well.

16.75
425
19.50
495
.585
14.9
Socket (Right): Russian Proof Commission marks "IIK" and a Cyrillic character inside a circle.

Socket (Left): "IO 42412" (second 4 is inverted).

M1891/30 Socket bayonet for use with the 7.62 x 54 mm. M1891/30 Mosin-Nagant rifle. The M1891/30 was Russia's standard service rifle during WWII.

The M1891/30 bayonet has a press stud to secure the bayonet in place, rather than the locking ring of the M1891.

This example is typical of crude wartime production, with heavy tool marks.

16.875
429
19.75
502
.580
14.7
None.
M1891/30 Panshin Socket bayonet for use with the 7.62 x 54 mm. Mosin-Nagant M1891 Dragoon rifle. The Panshin is an early variant of the M1891/30 bayonet, intended for use by mounted cavalry.

This example was made 1930-32 at the Tula Arsenal.

Col. P.K. Panshin designed the sight hood to protect the front sight of rifles used by the cavalry. However, the government decided to make the sight hood standard on all M1891/30 rifles instead.

As a result, few hooded bayonets were produced. Most had the hood removed during World War II, since the hooded bayonet would not mount to a hooded rifle. Examples with the hood intact are quite scarce today.

17.00
432
19.875
505
.590
15.0
Elbow (right): proofmark

Elbow (left): star and proofmark

Shoulder: "123713"

M1940 Knife bayonet for use with the 7.62 x 54 mm. Tokarev SVT-40 self-loading rifle that saw limited use during World War II.  This was the first Russian knife bayonet and its influence is evident in the later SKS and AK-47 bayonets.

The M1940 bayonet is unique in having a sheath surrounding the press stud to prevent the fixed bayonet from being inadvertently detached. This proved a solution to a non-existent problem and was dropped from future Russian designs. This example has gone through arsenal overhaul, as evidenced by the rich deep blued finish. 

The scabbard is of the second type, with the flattened tip, rather than a ball tip.  The scabbard has a pigskin leather belt hanger.

These bayonets are much scarcer than the rifles (which are none too plentiful either).

9.50
241
14.00
356
.555
14.1
Ricasso: various partial inspection marks

Grip (Left): 4144
M1944 Folding bayonet permanently attached to the 7.62 x 54 mm. Mosin-Nagant M1944 rifle.

The bayonet folds to the right side and stows in a cutout in the rifle's forestock.

12.25
311
15.25
387
.555
14.1
None.
SKS-45 Knife bayonet permanently attached to the 7.62 x 39 mm. Simonov SKS-45 self-loading rifle.

This example was made in 1951 at Tula Arsenal. 

The blade folds underneath and stows in a cutout area in the rifle's forestock.

9.50
241
12.00
305
.550
14.0
None.
6X3 (AKM Type I) Second-generation knife bayonet for use with the 7.62 x 39 mm. Kalashnikov AKM assault rifle.

This example was made 1959-mid 1960s at the Ishevsk Arsenal, Iszhevsk, Russia.

Orange plastic grip. Black steel Type I scabbard has a black rubber insulator for cutting electrified wire. Brown, pebble-grain leather belt hanger and tan web wrist strap. The belt hanger measures 3.75 in. (95 mm.) in length.

Go to the Kalashnikov Bayonets page.

5.75
146
11.00
279
.695
17.7
Crosspiece (left): "9130"

Crosspiece (right): "11" inside an oval and an diamond (inspection marks

Muzzle Ring: inspection marks

Guide Lug: triangle (Ishevsk mark)

Scabbard (body): "9130"

6X4 (AKM Type II)
Second-Generation knife bayonet for use with the 7.62 x 39 mm. Kalashnikov AKM assault rifle.

Orange plastic grip. The Type II scabbard has an orange plastic body. The brightly-colored plastic is often referred to as bakelite, although it is a modern polymer. The brown pebble-grained leather belt hanger and tan web wrist strap are similar to those used on the 6X3 bayonet.

Although the maker mark has worn away, the "2/2" mold mark identifies it as having been made at the Iszhevsk Arsenal, Iszhevsk, Russia. The Tula arsenal used a hyphen in their mold mark. The 6X4 bayonet was produced from the mid 1960s to 1983.

This example was brought back from the first Gulf War, Afghanistan, or some other foreign hotspot prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The bayonet and scabbard had fine sand/silt in all of its nooks and crannies. A portion of the belt loop is missing, as if the bayonet had been yanked off of it's former owner's belt. The partial belt hanger measures 3.875 in. (98 mm.) in length.

The seller I obtained it from indicated that he had purchased it in 2002 from a shop in VA, which he described as being a place "known to do a lot of business with SEALS from Little Creek." He indicated that "he had seen fellas getting out of service bring duffel bags full of 'neat stuff' by there to unload for a few bucks prior to separation" (he had no reason to embellish the story, as his asking price was a fraction of what this bayonet would have brought at auction).

Go to the Kalashnikov Bayonets page.

5.75
146
10.625
270
.695
17.7
Crosspiece (right): inspection marks

Crosspiece (left): "847"

Grip (right): "2/2"

Pommel: "769"

Scabbard Body: Arrow inside triangle, "80", and "089"

6X5 (AK-74) Third-generation knife bayonet for the 5.45 x 39 mm. Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle. Production began in 1983. The 6X5 bayonet is currently in first-line service with the the Russian Army.

Spear-point blade with a unique cross-section. Black molded polymer grip. Black plastic scabbard has the typical AKM pattern clip-on belt hanger made of black pebble-grain leather. The belt hanger measures 3.75 in. (95 mm.) long.

Under bright light, the grip and scabbard have a purple (or plum) hue.

Go to the Kalashnikov Bayonets page.

6.25
159
11.375
289
.695
17.7
Ricasso (left):"OTK" very feint

Ricasso (right): Acceptance mark (inside a rectangle)

Pommel: "8-1: Scabbard (body): "5-1" (mold no.) and inspection mark (silver paint)

Belt Hanger: "5" inside a circle

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© Ralph E. Cobb 2010 All Rights Reserved          
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