Pictures
(click to enlarge)		 Description Blade
Length		 Overall
Length

Muzzle
Ring
Diameter

 Markings
    in. mm. in. mm. in. mm.  
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with wood grip. This is an example of the earliest type, with wooden grips, short tang, and no lower crosspiece extension.

Wooden (Beech) grips were only used during the first two years of production.

This scabbard is made of smooth leather.

6.75 171 11.25 286 n/a Ricasso: "D9460" and "30"

Scabbard: "13" in yellow paint on belt loop. Illegible marking on tip.
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip. This example has the more common composition grip. The grip material is beech particleboard bonded with phenol formaldehyde resin. The grip was made in two halves, which were then bonded together with epoxy resin.

This example still has the short tang and is without the lower crossguard extension found on later examples. The grip scales are secured by two rivets.

This scabbard is dated 1967 and is made of smooth leather.

 

 6.75 171 11.125 283 n/a Ricasso: "M6382" and "11"

Scabbard:  Crossed swords, followed by "OTK", "S-4", over "K", "K.V.", "1967"
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip secured by three rivets.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip secured by three rivets.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip secured by three rivets.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip secured by three rivets.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with composition grip secured by three rivets. An example of the early, short-tang/no lower crosspiece type, with composition grip scales secured by three rivets. 6.50 165 10.875 276 n/a Ricasso: "N 0253" and "11"
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension. This example still has the short tang, but incorporates the lower crossguard extension.

Unusual variant using only epoxy to secure the composition grip scales. This was abandoned due to insufficient strength, which accounts for the relative scarcity of rivetless examples.

The lower crossguard extension was adopted ca. 1970 to improve grip when dismounting the bayonet or using it as a hand weapon.

 6.625 168 10.875 276 n/a Ricasso: "N 3908" and "102"
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and grips secured by single rivet. This example also has the short tang, but incorporates the lower crossguard extension. This variant has a single rivet securing the composition grip scales.

The scabbard on this example is unmarked and made of pebble-grain leather.

6.75 171 11.125 283 n/a Ricasso: "Y 3864" and "442"
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and extended tang.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and extended tang.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and extended tang.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and extended tang.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and extended tang.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia VZ-58 knife bayonet with lower crossguard extension and extended tang. Late-production variant with the full-length tang that protrudes beyond the grip scales. The grip scales are secured by two rivets.

The full-length tang was the final major design change, coming after addition of the lower crosspiece extension. It is unclear just when, but most probably in the mid-1970s. With the tang running full-length, the grip halves could no longer be epoxied together as had been done with the short tang bayonets.

The scabbard on this example is made of coarse-grained leather.

6.75 171 11.25 286 n/a Ricasso: "M8065" and "399"

Scabbard: Illegible marking on tip.
Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia vinyl scabbard for VZ-58 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia vinyl scabbard for VZ-58 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia vinyl scabbard for VZ-58 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Czechoslovakia vinyl scabbard for VZ-58 knife bayonet. Green vinyl scabbard for use with the VZ–58 bayonet in nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare environments.

This scabbard is part of the soldier's chemical warfare kit. The kit contains a vinyl suit, a vinyl magazine pouch, and a this vinyl scabbard.

A special scabbard was necessary due to the difficulties encountered with decontaminating the absorbent all-leather scabbard, once exposed to toxic agents.

 n/a n/a n/a Front: "1976 2"

Reverse: crossed swords and "76"
Top        
© Ralph E. Cobb 2009 All Rights Reserved        
The 7.62 mm. Czechoslovak vz. 58 assault rifle (7,62 mm samopal vzor 58) outwardly resembles the AK47 in some respects, but is a unique design internally. The Czechoslovak Republic was the only Warsaw Pact nation that did not use the AK47 or AKM. The vz. 58 was designed at Brno by engineer Jiří Čermák. Production at Česká Zbrojovka a. s. of Uherský Brod ran from 1958–1984. Čermák worked at Brno as a weapons designer from 1954 until his retirement in 1986. Čermák passed away in 2012. Recently, the Army of the Czech Republic has begun replacing the vz. 58 with the CZ 805 BREN, however, it still remains in service today.

The VZ–58 knife bayonet was initially made as a forging, however, the manufacturing process was later changed to use investment casting. The press catch is in the crosspiece, eliminating the need for a pommel. However, the lack of a pommel resulted in broken grip scales, as was also encountered with the AKM Type I bayonet, due to the tendency for soldiers everywhere to use the bayonet as a hammer. Later production featured a full-length tang that extended rearward to protect the grip scales.

There is a surprising amount of variation in the construction of these bayonets. Crosspiece length; tang length; grip material; and, number and placement of rivets securing the grip scales varied throughout production. Leather scabbards also exhibit many variations in color and surface. In addition to standard types, dress and presentation bayonets exist, along with a vinyl scabbard for use on a chemical/nuclear battlefield. The Finnish M1962 bayonet was closely patterned on the Czechoslovak VZ–58 design.

The Czechoslovak VZ-58 Knife Bayonet
Home Navigation Button
Want List Navigation Button
  
Bayonet Collecting Navigation Button
  
Bayonet Identification Guide Navigation Button
  
Researching Your Finds Navigation Button
  
Library Navigation Button
  
Links Page Navigation Button
  
For Sale or Trade Navigation Button
  
BCN Certified Logo
  
Bayonet
Collectors'
Network		  
 
Society of American Bayonet Collectors