I can't really get used to the term 6x3 bayonet transition. Mikeįirst of all I have to explain something for further understanding, I'll keep looking for the other picture(s). It does show the mix of 6X3 & 6X4 bayonets and scabbards, but not the close up of the transitional.
#Tula ak 47 bayonet series#
This picture was one of a series that of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in the spring of 1968. It is not the one I wanted, but it is one of the series that had the one I described above.
#Tula ak 47 bayonet Pc#
May have been lost due to unbacked up PC melt downs. Photographic proof!? I'll post it if I can find it. The 3rd man was sitting on the front fender and had a 6X4 Type II bayonet and scabbard that was more of a red/orange. The 2nd one also leaning against the tank had 6X3 Type I bayonet in a matching orange Type II scabbard. The 1st one leaning on the tank had a AKM 6X3 Type I bayonet and scabbard with a dark (plum) hilt hanging from his belt. One picture showed a crew of three men in Russian tanker uniforms and head gear taking a smoke break in front of a T-54/55 (?) tank. Some where in my files I have a color pictures of Russian troops on maneuvers in Poland during the Cold War Period. Both have had matching hand etched rework numbers added. The scabbard is a late version Type I from Izhevsk without an original number, (NOS ?). The 6X4 bayonet is from Tula, a second series with the star on the front of the crossguard. The both have original issue numbers ground off or lined out and hand etched matching numbers added. The 6X3 bayonet and scabbard are both from Izhevsk. I found these in the same shipping container and kept them as samples. Below are pictures of the two variations of transitional bayonets. Hand etched forced numbers and mixed parts and pieces. Like stated above, all show evidence of previous repair and/or being reworked. Occasionally a few "Transitional" bayonets and scabbards are found mixed in. Sometimes removed and scrapped parts and accessories have been thrown into the containers as well. Often they are replacements made just for repair or rework. Some have replacement original parts and accessories. The bayonets, scabbards, parts and accessories are randomly mixed as far as arsenals, age and condition. The overall condition ranges from Very Good to marginally Good. Almost all have forced hand etched numbers and most have been matching. Many appear to have been issued several times and repaired and reworked various times. They all seem to have been reworked to minimum functional standards at some point in time to before being placed in storage and then sold as surplus. Most of them have been 6X3 Type I and 6X4 Type II bayonets and scabbards. Over the years I have had the opportunity to sort through several shipping containers of imported surplus Russian bayonets. A personal observation on Russian AKM 6X3 and 6X4 "Transitional" bayonets and scabbards.