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AKM Type II Bayonet and Scabbard for the AK47 Assault Rifle. 22534:1 - 22534:1 The AK47 assault rifle was introduced during a period in history when 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, everyone was redesigned to accept a bayonet or replaced with a rifle that did within a few years of its introduction. The AK47 was Russia's entry in this debate, being designed without the intent that it mounts a bayonet. Having a change of mind, in 1955, the Russians opted for a bayonet. The AK47 bayonet hilt borrows heavily from the Swedish M1914 bayonet, another example where the bayonet was added as an afterthought. Both the AK47 bayonet and scabbard were patterned after Russia's first knife bayonet, the M1940 bayonet used with the 7.62 mm. Tokarev SVT–40 self–loading rifle. Although adequate, the dual muzzle-ring arrangement made the AK47 bayonet awkward, at best, for any other use. The AKM rifle was introduced in 1960. 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 several features, making for an incredibly versatile bayonet. The one-piece moulded plastic grip & pommel; and stainless-steel blade made the bayonet impervious to rust and rot. The unfullered clip-point blade had saw teeth 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 wire cutter. 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 retention 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. An unusual design, it has a bowie type unfullered 14 ½ cm blade with a serrated back and whole near the point which engages with the scabbard to form a wire cutter. The grips are wooden, and the scabbard is a later orange composite. The leather straps are in place and in good order. The price includes UK delivery. 22534:1 (Other Countries Box 1) £145.00
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