Just picked up a bayonet for my K31!

Vegetaman · Jun 9, 2015

So, bought a K31 last year...It's a high serial number (like 998XXX or so), which I think means it was made circa 1952/53 (then they started with low numbers again; go figure). I also took the butt plate off and found a little slip of paper -- which was neat! It's a beech stock, and I picked it out from a dozen or so rifles, as it had the best wood stock (all of them had good metal). Matching numbers on bolt, receiver, and magazine.

And saw that AIM Surplus had bayonets for them, and I thought about it for a few weeks, and was doing an ammo order so I threw it on the order. Very happy with the quality, actually.

4 numbers stamped in the crossbar of the bayonet. Very good shape. Any magic to the 4 numbers? Do they match the last 4 of the gun they were issued to or are they some magic date code? This one is like 3748.

Haven't shot it yet, but I did get a few hundred rounds of GP-11 to try.

Richard Simmons · Jun 10, 2015

Very nice. I believe that is considered a 1918/55 bayonet and IIRC the numbers are matched to the rifle it was issued with. After seeing yours I believe I need one for my K31.

gdnagle · Jun 10, 2015

Nice K31, been trying to talk myself into getting one myself but haven't talked loud enough to myself to get one yet. AIM just sold out of them for $279.

Richard Simmons · Jun 10, 2015

IIRC I paid something around $80-$85 for mine from AIM maybe 10 years ago. Beech stocked with about 50% finish on the receiver. A light steam and sand on the stock and cold blue on the metal and it looks as good as a brand new one. Shoots better than I can hold. Best group with Swiss surplus was 1.25" at 100yds for 5 rounds. I've not shot any rifle that well since.

Texas Star · Jun 10, 2015

For $279, I'd be buying a Fallkniven knife or adding some money and getting a Randall.

But I guess if you want a bayonet enough, this looks like a good one.

What did the slip of paper say? Was it blank?

Richard Simmons · Jun 10, 2015

Texas Star said:
For $279, I'd be buying a Fallkniven knife or adding some money and getting a Randall.

But I guess if you want a bayonet enough, this looks like a good one.

What did the slip of paper say? Was it blank?

The rifles are selling for $279.00. The bayonets are $50-$80 depending on condition

Ματθιας · Jun 10, 2015

The piece of paper is a Troop Tag that lists the last person the rifle was issued to and the kind of unit. Some owners are still alive or at least the families can be contacted.

DocB · Jun 10, 2015

Looks good. Always a good idea to get the bayonet as soon as you find one. I have an old WWI French Lebel and it took me over 20 years to find the bayonet for it. The bayonet is worth more and cost me more than the rifle.

Texas Star · Jun 10, 2015

I thought that Swiss troops kept rifles on their retirement? Some families have sold them, but I'm mildly surprised to see large surplus offerings here.

Were these maybe turned-in to receive a new StGw 57?

Swiss members? Any reading this?

Ματθιας · Jun 10, 2015

Texas Star said:
I thought that Swiss troops kept rifles on their retirement? Some families have sold them, but I'm mildly surprised to see large surplus offerings here.

Were these maybe turned-in to receive a new StGw 57?

Swiss members? Any reading this?

The ones that were kept have a "P" stamped on them for private purchase.

These were probably obsolete war reserve that were surplused.

Richard Simmons · Jun 10, 2015

Normally the firearm was given to the person upon reaching retirement age. I would surmise that the rifles being imported were swapped out for newer issue weapons prior to the individuals reaching retirement. I don't know if they allow retirees to maintain select fire weapons or not? Seems like they would sine he or she has been keeping it in their home for years already.

Vegetaman · Jun 10, 2015

I think I paid $315 for my K31 circa October last year. Picked it off the shelf at Gander Mtn. Similar to when I bought my Mosin M91/30, there's something about picking through the rifles yourself versus ordering online.

But, I can't knock AIM Surplus -- I ordered an M1895 Nagant revolver from them last year ($189), and it is a really great shape 1924 model. And really pleased with this bayonet. Figured I should buy it while I can.

Just picked up a bayonet for my K31!

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