This bayonet is a Serbian M1899 bayonet made at the Artiljerijsko Tehnički Zavod (Artillery Technical Institute) in Kragujevac. The Kragujevac plant was known by this name between 1918–1923, so this bayonet would most likely have been made during that period.

Differences from the M1899 bayonet produced in the U.S. by Plumb are a thicker crosspiece secured with flush rivets, the grip scales secured by spanner nuts, and the "AT3" ricasso mark.

This example was made at the Vojno Tehnicki Zavod (Military Technical Institute) in Kragujevac. When originally made, the metal would have been in the white. This example has been through overhaul, as evidenced by the deep blued finish.

There are two variants, M1924 and M1924/30, that differ in how the tang and pommel are joined as shown in this comparison image. The example pictured at left is a M1924/30, so was originally produced 1931–41.

This example came to me directly from Serbia. It is pictured in Branko Bogdanovic’s authoritative work, Bayonets and Fighting Knives:  Serbia, Montenegro and Yugoslavia.

The Germans later deleted the muzzle ring and blued the metal of M1924 bayonets during their Second World War occupation of Yugoslavia. The German designation for the modified M1924 was S 109(j).

There were multiple Yugoslavian bayonet variants designated Model 1924Б. This M1924Б bayonet variant was newly made at the Vojno Tehnicki Zavod (Military Technical Institute) in Kragujevac during the mid–1920s to go along with the converted Steyr M1912 rifles (the M1912 rifle conversions were reportedly completed in 1927).

This M1924Б bayonet variant is identical to the M1924 above, except that the hilt has a short mounting slot, as shown in this comparison image. This meant that, while the M1924 bayonet would mount to a M1924Б rifle, the M1924Б bayonet would not mount to a M1924 Short Rifle. To avoid confusion, the M1924Б bayonet was distinctively marked “Mod. 1924 B” in Cyrillic (MOД. 1924 Б) inside an ovoid rectangle on the ricasso opposite the arsenal marking.

This example is also marked with the Cyrillic letter “DJ” (Ђ) on the crosspiece and the letter “P” (П) on the scabbard mouth. The significance of these markings is not known.

How many "Mexican contract" M1912 rifles were given to Yugoslavia is unclear. Making deliveries to Mexico difficult for Steyr early in 1914 was the blockade and occupation of the Port of Vera Cruz by U.S. military forces to prevent further arms shipments from reaching the junta established by General Victoriano Huerta, following the overthrow of a democratically-elected Mexican government. Although referred to as “Mexican contract” rifles, there also was a sizeable Steyr M1912 contract with Colombia during fiscal year 1913–14 which also may not have been completely fulfilled prior to outbreak of the First World War.

The result was that many of the M1912 rifles remained in Austrian stores during the First World War. Ironically, the majority of converted M1912 rifles sat in Yugoslavian stores only to fall into German hands when Yugoslavia was overrun by Nazi forces in 1941.

Ricasso (left): "MOД. 1924 Б"

Crosspiece (right):  "13209"

Crosspiece (left):  "Ђ"

Scabbard (mouth): "П"

Scabbard (body): "BT3" inside a triangle.

Arriving a dozen years later, this M1924Б bayonet variant is a conversion of a surrendered First World War German bayonet. This example was originally a German M1898/05 bayonet made by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. The original German markings are still partially present, confirming its lineage. Yugoslavia similarly converted German M1898 bayonets, all conversions being designated M1924Б regardless of the German type from which they came.

The bayonet's blade was altered to approximate the M1924 blade profile, so that the M1924 scabbard would accept it. This was key to making the bayonet useful, as the Yugoslavian belt frog would not accept the wide German M1898/05 scabbard. The grips were replaced with crude facsimiles of the originals. Some examples have diagonal serrations running in the opposite direction. Many of these are crudely marked “M24Б” in Cyrillic (M24B) on the crosspiece.

From 1939–1941, the Užice Arms Factories (known, today, as Privi Partizan) converted surrendered First World War German Gewehr 98's and bayonets to conform to the M1924 specification. Approximately 20,000 rifles and bayonets are believed to have been converted before the Germans overran Yugoslavia in 1941. These Yugoslavian conversions included a new crosspiece with a full muzzle ring.

Scabbard (frog stud): "11146"

This pre-Second World War frog has a long belt hanger and a notch in the top edge of the frontpiece for the frog stud. The strap secures the scabbard to the frog.

Measures 9.625 in. (244 mm.) long by 2.00 in.(51 mm.) wide at the widest point.

Carter classified this frog as #422.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

This example was made by E. & F. Hörster of Solingen.

The scabbard on this example has had its original serial number struck through and a new number applied, indicating that it was reworked in wartime Germany, before falling into allied hands (and being reworked a second time).

Although the date is no longer visible on the blade, BCN data proves that the bayonet was made in 1940. This example has wood grips.   The scabbard was made in 1939.

The M1948 bayonet was a short version of the pre-War M1924 bayonet, adopted when Yugoslavia rebuilt the Vojno Tehnicki Zavod (Military Technical Institute), which was totally destroyed during the Second World War.

The Cyrillic marking (ПРЕДУЗЕЋЕ), was used until 1953, when they switched to the western marking (PREDUZECE). In English, it means "factory" or "enterprise." Factory 44 was the Zavodi Crvena Zastava (Red Flag Works) in Kragujevac, Serbia.  The factory is still operating today and is known as Zastava Arms.

According to Serbian collector/researcher Nebojsa Milanovic, the new serial number on the pommel is from overhaul in the smaller technical workshop of the Teritorijalna odbrana (TO or Territorial Defense).

This example came to me directly from Serbia. It is also pictured in Branko Bogdanovic’s authoritative work, Bayonets and Fighting Knives:  Serbia, Montenegro and Yugoslavia.

This post-War frog has a shorter belt loop than the M1924 and has a hole in the frontpiece for the frog stud. The strap secures the hilt to the frog.

Measures 8.625 in. (219 mm.) long by 1.875 in.(48 mm.) wide at the widest point.

Carter classified this frog as #423.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

The blade is double-edged, reminiscent of the Serbian M1899 bayonet. The grips are made of molded plastic.

The M1956 bayonet is a modular design which can be taken to pieces and have parts replaced. Catalog numbers sometimes found on the various parts include:

36-189-6 (Blade)
36-190-2 (L. Grip)
36-190-3 (R. Grip)
36-191-2 (Scabbard)
S-38-191-9 (Belt Frog)

Although the dimensions seem pretty normative, it is so small and light that it seems like a toy. Look how small the scabbard is, compared to my hand (and I have very small hands).

Submachine Gun Bayonets Page

Measures 7.50 in. (190 mm.) long by 1.75 in. (44 mm.) wide at the widest point. 

This frog was not classified by Carter.

According to my Serbian collector friend Nebojsa Milanovic, the Cyrillic “BK” inside the stitched triangle stands for Vojna Kontrola (Military Control).  The official nomenclature number indicates that this frog was made in Kragujevac.  He says that unmarked frogs also exist and they were made in a different factory.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

Manufactured by Sport Oprema (Sport Equipment) of Ljubljana, the bayonets were used with rubber-coated drill rifles, also produced by Sport Oprema. The drill rifle simulated the size and weight of a 7.62 mm. PAP M59 rifle. The bayonet has a small muzzle ring, which is secured to the rifle’s muzzle by a knurled bolt.  There is also a socket in the bayonet’s pommel, which fits over a mounting stud protruding from the rifle’s forend.

I have yet to determine the meaning of the circle-tsp mark in the bayonet's grip.

Sport Oprema sponsored a highly successful competitive fencing club in Ljubljana that bore the company’s name. The club was formed ca. 1978 and was in existence for at about 10 years.

Grip (right) "tsp" in circle

Black plastic grip. Green-gray web retention strap. Shiny, smooth black plastic scabbard with a tan leather belt hanger. The Yugoslavian belt hanger is unique in having a brass thorn. The belt hanger measures 3.625 in. (92 mm.) in length.

Yugoslavian bayonets have stamped serial numbers on the grip & scabbard body, where the East German AKM Type II bayonet has electropenciled serial numbers.

AK Bayonets Page

Ricasso (left): "K7" electropenciled

Scabbard (body): "291278"

Scabbard (metal end): "K7" electropenciled

According to Serbian Author/Researcher Branko Bogdanovic, the R-prefix added to the serial number indicates repaired.

AK Bayonets Page

Ricasso (left): "K" electropenciled

Scabbard (body): "R–47650"

Scabbard (metal end): "K" electropenciled

The tan leather belt hanger measures 3.125 in. (79 mm.) in length.