The AK47 Bayonet

The AK47 assault rifle was introduced during a period where the bayonet's future was in debate. In the decade following the outbreak of the Second World War, most of the major powers produced an infantry rifle without the ability to mount a bayonet. Without a single exception, every one was redesigned to accept a bayonet or or replaced with a rifle that did within a few years of its introduction. The AK47 was Russia's entry in the bayonet debate, being designed without a bayonet lug. Rather than add a bayonet lug, the Russians opted for a bayonet that did not require one. The AK47 hilt design borrows heavily from the Swedish M1914 bayonet, another example where the bayonet was an afterthought. The blade was patterned after the the Russian M1940 bayonet for the 7.62 mm. Tokarev SVT–40 self–loading rifle. Although adequate as a bayonet, the dual muzzle-ring arrangement made the AK47 bayonet awkward, at best, for any other uses. The scabbard is a smaller version of the later type used with the Russian M1940 bayonet.

The AK47 bayonet was produced by: Bulgaria, China, East Germany, Indonesia, North Korea, Poland, and Russia (shown above).

The AKM rifle was introduced in 1959. Among other things, the updated AK47 variant included a bayonet lug. Much easier and cheaper to manufacture than the AK47, production and use of the AKM went worldwide. The inclusion of a bayonet lug allowed for a more conventional bayonet. However, the new bayonet design, what we refer 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 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. The steel scabbard body had a lug at the point that engaged a window cut into the blade, so that bayonet and scabbard could be combined as a wirecutter. The scabbard body had a rubber insulator, making it safe to cut electrified wire. The belt hanger was a clip-on affair that was cheap and easy to replace. A wrist strap was also included, for extra grip when using as a combat knife. A truly revolutionary design that continues to influence bayonet design to the present day.

The AKM Type I bayonet was produced by East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Russia (shown above).

The improved AKM Type II bayonet was introduced in the mid-1960s and brought with it two significant changes. A squared-off steel pommel was added, to address the fragile nature of the Type I's bulbous plastic pommel. Revolutionary as it was, the Type I design couldn't change soldiers, who seem naturally inclined to use the pommel as a hammer. The second major change was a new scabbard. Advances in plastics technology had reached the point where the scabbard body could be made of molded plastic, with only a metal end for the wirecutter. This eliminated the need for a rubber insulator, as the plastic scabbard body was non-conductive.

The AKM Type II bayonet was produced by Bulgaria (shown above), China, Iraq, East Germany, Russia, and Yugoslavia. Variations were also produced by India and Vietnam (the latter are thought to have been made for commercial sale, not military use).

Introduced in 1983, the AK74 bayonet represents a further refinement of the AKM bayonet. Continued improvements in plastics technology enabled a return to the one-piece molded plastic grip. The AK74 grip has a stippled non-slip surface, with concentric ridges that serve as finger grooves; and, incorporates a plastic version of the Type II pommel. Improved ergonomics made the wrist strap unnecessary. The AK74 introduced a radical blade cross-section, that has a flat milled on one side near the edge and a corresponding flat milled on the opposite side near the false edge. The blade has a spear point and the usual hole for use as a wire-cutter. An inspection mark is stamped on the ricasso. The scabbard is similar to the Type II scabbard.

The AK74 bayonet has only been produced by Bulgaria and Russia (shown above), where it remains in service today. Bulgaria produced an AK74 bayonet for Iraq that uses nylon webbing for the belt hanger.

AK Bayonets - Four Basic Types