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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 20, 2013 at 18:09

On top is a Bulgarian made champagne knife  The bottom an American Made B-13 bartender tool.

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on April 24, 2015 at 22:06

With the introduction of the AK47 & AKM type rifles, a bayonet was an afterthought. These are my Polish Cold War Field knives that also served as bayonets - not the other way around. 

This first pattern is my 1957 Polish AK-47 trench knife for the Polish KBK 47 Assault Rifle, which is the same as the 7.62 mm. Kalashnikov AK47 assault rifle. The Polish versions were manufactured at Radon in Poland. This bayonet is distinguished by the black plastic grip scales, stamped serial number 569 on each side of the pommel, and green web belt hanger with a snap closure. As stated, 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. The rivet at the top of the scabbard (not shown), which is usually removed when decommissioned, remains in tact on my model.

Polish KBK 47 Trench Knife / Bayonet (Scabbard not shown)

The AKM rifle was introduced in 1959 as the updated AK47 variant, which now included a bayonet lug. Much easier and cheaper to manufacture than the AK47, production and use of the AKM went worldwide. The new knife / bayonet design, what 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 plastic grip & pommel; and stainless steel blade made the bayonet impervious to rust and rot. The unfullered clip-point blade has saw teeth along the spine. The steel scabbard body has a lug at the point that engaged a window cut into the blade so that bayonet and scabbard could be combined as a wire cutter. The scabbard body has 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.

1959 Polish AKM Type I (Scabbard not shown)

The improved AKM Type II knife / bayonet was introduced in the mid-1960's 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 wire cutter. This eliminated the need for a rubber insulator, as the plastic scabbard body was non-conductive.

1968 Polish AKM Type II (Scabbard not shown)

AKM Type I/II Transitional Knives / Bayonets

A number of countries produced AKM bayonets that exhibit a mix of Type I and Type II features. The basic combinations are Type I knives / bayonets utilizing the plastic-body Type II scabbard and Type II bayonets utilizing the steel body Type I scabbard. As each country who used the AKM made their own knives that fit the rifles, all sorts of pattern combinations have been seen, and are still being produced today.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 25, 2015 at 0:05

Just so happens! Here is my green twin to your knife Tobias. I know it's Russian, and according to John McCain the writing below the gazelle basically says "Gorky", and it was made sometime between 1960 and 1990. Here is what John said about my green version of the same knife:

"A little bit on your Russian knife--Your knife was either made or honors the city of Nizhny Novorgorod, the 5th largest city in Russia, located about 400 Km east of Moscow.  The Cyrillic writing under the "Gazelle" translates to Gorky, which is what the city was called from 1932-1990 after the writer Maxim Gorky who was born there. The Gazelle or sometimes called the "running deer" is the symbol of the city. The image on the other side of the knife is also a Gorky city image.Russian knives were commonly marked after cities or famous people, of which this knife is both.Found one other example offered in the $20 range, but the craftsmanship and the cool factor are probably worth more.'

I assume the same info applies to your knife Tobias. Frankly I was surprised to see another one, and more surprised to see a different handle color. Any idea of what the handle material is, or how good the steel is?

Kind of a Soviet version of the Swiss Army Knife. If yours is like mine it is well made, even still has the toothpick and tweezers. Another local swap meet find.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 25, 2015 at 6:43

I've got a Bulgarian type 1 AKM Bayonet and Polish Type 2, The Polish Type 2 is also known as the 6H4 Bayonet.