.
Pictures
(click to enlarge)
Type Description Blade
Length
Overall
Length

Muzzle
Ring
Diameter

Markings
      in. mm. in. mm. in. mm.  
Thumbnail image of Bulgarian M1895 belt frog.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian M1895 belt frog. Belt Frog Brown leather belt frog for use with the M1895 bayonet.

The front appears to be a replacement piece. The back shows old rivet holes, while the front is only stitched.

Measures 7.875 in. (200 mm.) long by 2.50 in. (64 mm.) wide at the widest point.

This frog was not classified by Carter.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

n/a n/a n/a Reverse: Rectangle
Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 knife bayonet.
AK47
Knife bayonet for use with the 7.62 mm. Kalashnikov AK47 assault rifle.

A copy of the Russian 6X2 bayonet, the Bulgarian AK47 bayonet is distinguished most readily by the mottled brown grip scales and serial number perpendicular to the bayonet's long axis. Russian examples typically have the serial number running across the pommel at a 45 degree angle.

Most Bulgarian scabbards have the hilt strap secured by two rivets. The web belt hanger measures 4.125 in. (105 mm.) long x 0.75 in. (19 mm.) wide.

The reason for the unusual grip and second partial muzzle ring was that the bayonet was an afterthought, the AK47 not being initially designed to accept a bayonet.

AK Bayonets Page

7.875
200
12.25
311
.695
17.7
Pommel:  "8060"
Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 reworked knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 reworked knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 reworked knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 reworked knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 reworked knife bayonet. AK47 This example is a Bulgarian rework, with black plastic replacement grip scales. 7.875 200 12.25 311 .695 17.7 Pommel "1023"
Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 bayonet scabbard with vinyl belt hanger.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK47 bayonet scabbard with vinyl belt hanger. Vinyl Belt Hanger Some Bulgarian AK47 scabbards are found with a vinyl belt hanger. The hilt strap is secured by a single rivet, leading some to mistakenly believe these to be Russian. n/a n/a n/a None.
Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian orange AKM Type II knife bayonet. AKM Type II Knife bayonet for use with the Kalashnikov 7.62 mm. AKM and 5.45 mm. AK74 assault rifles.

A copy of the Russian 6X4 bayonet, these were made 1974–1985 at the State arms factory known, today, as ARSENAL J. S. Company. The double-circle-10 marking is Arsenal Co's. commercial trademark.

The retention strap and belt hanger are made of smooth-grained brown leather. The belt hanger leather loop measures 3.75 in. (95 mm.) long.

This is one of the most attractive of all AK bayonets. The brightly-colored plastic is often referred to as Bakelite, although it is a modern polymer.

AK Bayonets Page

6.00 152 10.875 276 .695 17.7 Grip (right): "10" inside a double-circle and "1-1"

Grip (left): "2820"

Scabbard Body: "2820"

Scabbard (anvil): "OTK"

Thumbnail image of Bulgarian black AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian black AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian black AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian black AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian black AKM Type II knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian black AKM Type II knife bayonet. AKM Type II This example is an orange Bulgarian-made bayonet and scabbard that has been painted with a gloss black paint.

AK Bayonets Page

5.875 149 10.875 276 .695 17.7 Grip (right): "10" inside a double-circle and "2-1"

Grip (left): "4B0615"

Scabbard Body: "6401"

Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet.Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74 knife bayonet. AK74 Knife bayonet for use with the 5.45 mm. Kalashnikov AK74 assault rifle. This bayonet will also mount to the 7.62 mm. AKM assault rifle.

A copy of the Russian 6X5 bayonet, production began in 1986 at the State arms factory known, today, as ARSENAL J. S. Company. Bulgarian examples have the Arsenal Co. double-circle-10 trademark molded into the grip and scabbard body.

The AK74 bayonet is currently in first-line service with the the Bulgarian Army.

Black plastic scabbard has the typical AKM pattern clip-on belt hanger made of black leather. The belt hanger measures 3.75 in. (95 mm.) long by 0.625 in. (16 mm.) wide.

AK Bayonets Page

 

6.125 156 11.125 286 .695 17.7 Grip (left): "10" inside a double-circle

Grip (right): "0321"

Pommel: "1-1"

Upper Tang: "E" in sliver

Scabbard Body (outer): "0321"

Scabbard Body (inner):   "10" inside a double-circle; "E" & "1" in sliver
Thumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonetThumbnail image of Bulgarian AK74/AK47 bayonet AR–M1 Knife bayonet for use with newly-manufactured 7.62 mm. Kalashnikov AR–M1 assault rifles supplied to the New Iraqi Army.

In 2004, Arsenal Co. began contracting with the U.S. Government to supply Kalashnikov rifles to equip the reconstituted New Iraqi Army. Arsenal Co. was chosen as a supplier for two reasons: 1) Bulgaria was a coalition member supporting the 2003 invasion of Iraq (Russia had undermined efforts to curb Saddam Hussein); and, 2) Arsenal Co's. Kalashnikov rifles are highly-regarded, probably the finest produced today.

Arsenal Co. manufactures the 7.62 mm. AR–M1, which is a hybrid incorporating up-to-date AK74 design features, such as polymer furniture, with the more durable early milled receiver and front sight block. Arsenal Co. produced this hybrid bayonet for use with the milled receiver rifles, since they were also producing the AK74 bayonet for use with stamped receiver rifles.

Black plastic scabbard has the typical AKM pattern clip-on belt hanger. However, the belt hanger is made of black nylon, instead of leather. The black nylon web belt hanger is unique to the bayonets supplied to Iraq, with Bulgarian Army bayonets retaining the leather belt hanger. The belt hanger measures 4.375 in. (111 mm.) long by 0.750 in. (19 mm.) wide.

Small quantities of this bayonet have trickled into the USA over the years via Arsenal Co.'s USA distributor, K-Var Corp.

AK Bayonets Page

6.25 159 10.75 273 .695 17.7 Pommel: "10" inside a double-circle and "2"

Upper Tang: "E"

Scabbard (body): "10" inside a double-circle and "E" and "1"

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Bayonets of Bulgaria

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