Do any of you folks collect these? I picked up a couple different versions lately. For some reason, I think Bakelite stuff is really cool! If my research is correct, they are for the AKM rifle. The AKM rifle was introduced in 1960. Among other things, this updated AK47 variant included a bayonet lug, making it much easier and cheaper to manufacture than the previous AK47. Production and use of the AKM went worldwide, and the inclusion of a bayonet lug allowed for a more conventional bayonet. The 2 variations of the bayonets are:
1. Hungarian F.E.G. AKM Type I (6X3) Kalashnikov Bayonet With Scabbard & Insulator In Excellent Condition Is Vintage Surplus From The Cold War. The new bayonet design, which is referred to as the AKM Type I, was far from conventional. It was as groundbreaking as the Kalashnikov itself. It incorporated a number of features, making for an incredibly versatile bayonet. The one-piece molded Bakelite/plastic grip & pommel and stainless steel blade made the bayonet impervious to rust and rot. The unfullered clip-point blade had sawteeth along the spine to cut branches and the like. The blade on the bayonet is not very sharp on purpose, because its main purpose is to stab and not cut. Blade has nice original bright finish. Lock button functions fine. These were introduced in 1960 and only manufactured for 5 years. Then they were replaced by the Type II version. Guard and scabbard have nice original black finish. Not only can this bayonet be used to stab or cut, but it has some "multi tool" features. The end of the buckle on the retainer strap can be used as a flat head screwdriver. The steel scabbard body has a lug at the point that engages a window cut in the blade, so that bayonet and scabbard could be combined as a wirecutter. The scabbard body has a rubber insulator, which in conjunction with the bayonet handle, would not conduct electricity making it safe to cut electrified wire. A drawback to this design is the Bakelite/plastic pommel which doesn't allow the bayonet to be used as a hammer without breaking or splitting the handle. Most Hungarian AKM bayonets, encountered in the USA like this one, used a unique clip-on variant that was cheap and easy to replace of the belt hanger which are missing the belt loop portion of the hanger. A retention strap was also included, for extra grip when used as a combat knife. A truly revolutionary design that continues to influence bayonet design to the present day. Some, like this one, are marked F.E.G. on the crosspiece (Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar Reszvenytarsasag) which in English means something like Metal Products, Weapon, and Machinery Factory/Company. Some countries are still using them today.
2. Russian Tula AKM Type II (6X4) Kalashnikov Bayonet With Scabbard In Very Good Condition Is Vintage Surplus From The Cold War. This Bakelite Bayonet was made in the Tula factory and fits the standard AKM 7.62 x 39 with either the plain muzzle nut or slant muzzle-break. It has an all Bakelite handle, metal pommel, and stainless steel clip-point blade which reduced the risk of rot and rust. Guard and pommel have nice original black finish. It has no fuller in the blade. It has matching serial numbers. The number "513" is electro penciled on both the bayonet handle and the scabbard. These have the "Tula Star" on them showing they were made in the Tula factory. Mine even has a "DOUBLE" Tula Star, one on the bayonet and the other on the scabbard, which is kinda rare. It comes complete with all the extra's too. One is the canvas retainer strap to keep you from dropping the blade, if using it in combat or adverse conditions, and the other is a leather belt hanger (leather frog) that is a clip-on affair that was cheap and easy to replace were it to be damaged. Not only can this bayonet be used to stab or cut, but it has some "multi tool" features. The end of the buckle on the retainer strap can be used as a flat head screwdriver. The metal end of the scabbard body had a lug at the point, that when engaged with the window cut in the blade, the bayonet and scabbard can be used together to make simple wire cutters that will cut standard barbed wire. And since the Bakelite is non-conducive, it can be safely used to cut wires on an electric fence. When it is set up in the wire cutting configuration, it can be used as an axe or a hammer. The metal pommel allows the bayonet to be used as a hammer without breaking or splitting the handle. It has sawteeth along the spine to cut branches, but the teeth are too shallow and small to be very effective. These were introduced in 1965 and manufactured for 20 years in the Soviet Union until 1985. Since they are made out of Bakelite, almost like a fingerprint, meaning no two of them are alike. Some countries are still using them today.
Here are some pictures of both of them. The first two pictures are of the Hungarian Type 1 Bayonet, and the last two pictures are of the Russian Tula Type 2 Bayonet.
Larry
1. Hungarian F.E.G. AKM Type I (6X3) Kalashnikov Bayonet With Scabbard & Insulator In Excellent Condition Is Vintage Surplus From The Cold War. The new bayonet design, which is referred to as the AKM Type I, was far from conventional. It was as groundbreaking as the Kalashnikov itself. It incorporated a number of features, making for an incredibly versatile bayonet. The one-piece molded Bakelite/plastic grip & pommel and stainless steel blade made the bayonet impervious to rust and rot. The unfullered clip-point blade had sawteeth along the spine to cut branches and the like. The blade on the bayonet is not very sharp on purpose, because its main purpose is to stab and not cut. Blade has nice original bright finish. Lock button functions fine. These were introduced in 1960 and only manufactured for 5 years. Then they were replaced by the Type II version. Guard and scabbard have nice original black finish. Not only can this bayonet be used to stab or cut, but it has some "multi tool" features. The end of the buckle on the retainer strap can be used as a flat head screwdriver. The steel scabbard body has a lug at the point that engages a window cut in the blade, so that bayonet and scabbard could be combined as a wirecutter. The scabbard body has a rubber insulator, which in conjunction with the bayonet handle, would not conduct electricity making it safe to cut electrified wire. A drawback to this design is the Bakelite/plastic pommel which doesn't allow the bayonet to be used as a hammer without breaking or splitting the handle. Most Hungarian AKM bayonets, encountered in the USA like this one, used a unique clip-on variant that was cheap and easy to replace of the belt hanger which are missing the belt loop portion of the hanger. A retention strap was also included, for extra grip when used as a combat knife. A truly revolutionary design that continues to influence bayonet design to the present day. Some, like this one, are marked F.E.G. on the crosspiece (Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar Reszvenytarsasag) which in English means something like Metal Products, Weapon, and Machinery Factory/Company. Some countries are still using them today.
2. Russian Tula AKM Type II (6X4) Kalashnikov Bayonet With Scabbard In Very Good Condition Is Vintage Surplus From The Cold War. This Bakelite Bayonet was made in the Tula factory and fits the standard AKM 7.62 x 39 with either the plain muzzle nut or slant muzzle-break. It has an all Bakelite handle, metal pommel, and stainless steel clip-point blade which reduced the risk of rot and rust. Guard and pommel have nice original black finish. It has no fuller in the blade. It has matching serial numbers. The number "513" is electro penciled on both the bayonet handle and the scabbard. These have the "Tula Star" on them showing they were made in the Tula factory. Mine even has a "DOUBLE" Tula Star, one on the bayonet and the other on the scabbard, which is kinda rare. It comes complete with all the extra's too. One is the canvas retainer strap to keep you from dropping the blade, if using it in combat or adverse conditions, and the other is a leather belt hanger (leather frog) that is a clip-on affair that was cheap and easy to replace were it to be damaged. Not only can this bayonet be used to stab or cut, but it has some "multi tool" features. The end of the buckle on the retainer strap can be used as a flat head screwdriver. The metal end of the scabbard body had a lug at the point, that when engaged with the window cut in the blade, the bayonet and scabbard can be used together to make simple wire cutters that will cut standard barbed wire. And since the Bakelite is non-conducive, it can be safely used to cut wires on an electric fence. When it is set up in the wire cutting configuration, it can be used as an axe or a hammer. The metal pommel allows the bayonet to be used as a hammer without breaking or splitting the handle. It has sawteeth along the spine to cut branches, but the teeth are too shallow and small to be very effective. These were introduced in 1965 and manufactured for 20 years in the Soviet Union until 1985. Since they are made out of Bakelite, almost like a fingerprint, meaning no two of them are alike. Some countries are still using them today.
Here are some pictures of both of them. The first two pictures are of the Hungarian Type 1 Bayonet, and the last two pictures are of the Russian Tula Type 2 Bayonet.
Larry
