The Chinese Type 56 rifle is a close copy of the AK47. The bayonet remains attached and folds under the barrel to stow in a cutout in the rifle's lower handguard. The Type 56 Rifle bayonet differs from the Type 56 Carbine (SKS clone) bayonet, in the absence of a muzzle ring. This is the bayonet observed on the AKs equipping the People's Liberation Army.
Three versions exist: a clamp-on version (with rings like a scope mount), a quick-detachable version, and a pinned-on version (pictured above).
The Czech VZ-58 rifle was an improved AK47 design, developed prior to Russian introduction of the AKM. The Czech-designed bayonet shares a blade similar to that of the AK47 bayonet, but with a more conventional hilt. The VZ-58 bayonet was produced for more than 20 years. A surprising number of manufacturing variations have been observed. Early bayonets had a wood grip. A reddish-brown composition plastic grip was introduced in the early 1960s and is more common. Grips can be found with no exposed rivets or one, two, or three rivets. A lower crosspiece extension (finger guard) was introduced in the mid-1960s. The tang only extended part way into the grip until very late (early 1970s?), when the tang was extended beyond the composition grip (additional testimony that the soldier's compulsion to use the bayonet as a hammer is universal). The scabbard is leather with an integral belt loop. A vinyl scabbard also exists, but is uncommon.
North Korea AKM Bayonet
The North Korean Type 68 rifle was their copy of the Russian AKM design. The North Korean AKM bayonet is a hybrid, combining many features of the AK47 bayonet, with a pommel similar to the AKM Type II bayonet. The fullered clip-point blade profile is also a hybrid of the AK47 and AKM designs. The scabbard is very similar to the AK47 scabbard. Scabbards are encountered with both a green web belt hanger (pictured below) and a tan web belt hanger.
Knife bayonet for use with the Rynnäkkökivääri (assault rifle) 62 & 76 series produced by Valmet. The Rk62 and Rk76 series are generally accepted to be the most significant refinement of the Kalashnikov design, with improved internals and sights. Unlike ComBloc Kalashnikovs, Valmet rifles are manufactured with high attention to tolerances and finish, making them the Rolls-Royce of Kalashnikovs. Israel began with the Rk62, when designing the Galil.
The Finnish M1962 bayonet is patterned after the Czech VZ-58 bayonet. However, it is a simpler affair, with an unfullered blade and molded plastic grip scales. The press stud is oddly placed in the middle of the grip. The M1962 came with a factory edge, something unusual for bayonets. The scabbard is made of stiff green pebble-grained (reindeer?) leather, securely riveted together.
Knife bayonet for use with the 5.56 mm. NATO caliber Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle. The G36 bayonet was created in 1996 to make use of the large stocks of former East German AKM Type II bayonets. The original muzzle-ring was cut away and a new, large diameter muzzle ring welded in place. The East German leather belt hanger was replaced by a complex web and plastic belt hanger designed to fit the West German load bearing equipment.
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