By Jack
You never know what might pop up on Post Scripts. . .
What you are looking at is a remnant from the Cold War. Once this was produced in large numbers for the improved version of the famous Kalashnikov AK 47, called the AKM. It was fitted as a bayonet, but detached it was a lightweight, but deadly fighting knife. When attached to the metal scabbard or sheath it became a wire cutting tool. With the rubber on the sheath it could cut electrified wire. And as the infomercial says, but wait there’s still more!
Take a close look at the large picture (left click on the photo). Note the saw tooth cutting area on the spine? It was enough to saw through wood or soft metal. The blade which extends thru the handle is made from surgical grade stainless steel and the handle that looks like wood isn’t. It’s actually made from a composite material that is impervious to liquids and it won’t warp, crack, split or peel. The leather strap you see stays attached just like it is to improve your grip when knife fighting, a handy thing for those little disputes that sometimes flare beyond little.
You are looking at the earliest known version of AKM Type 1 bayonet, first manufactured in 1959, and it’s very collectable in this pristine condition. Many countries in the old Soviet block made them, but you are most likely to find one that is of Hungarian, East German, Russian or Chinese origin. Some were serial numbers to match the knife to it’s holder, this is one has the matching serial numbers.
Pretty neat looking eh? The only piece that is missing is the frog, a strip of leather the goes over your belt and then wraps securely around the sheath. Fortunately the frogs are readily available for about $15.
What’s it worth? Typically and East German made version will sell in pristine condition for about $150. Then they go all the way down to just a knife in rough shape for about $5. Even at $65 it’s still a bargain if you appreciate a fine steel weapon in a well thought design. Hope you liked the story, because for collectors and military fans, the Type 1 has definitely earned it’s place in history.
Jack, that looks like a very cool knife, and it has some neat features. I bet it would make a excellent field knife, where could someone locate one?
Ah, funny you should ask…one place you can’t get them is on eBay! I got my ad pulled because it was an accessory to an assault weapon!!! #@$%^&*! Story to follow tomorrow.
Thats to bad, I went there to look but did not see anythng as nice as yours. Not to turn this into a auction house, but what would you take for the one you had listed?
I will take the Navy issue MK3 mod 0, American made knife. I like it not just because I am ex- navy but because it is highly weather resistant. It has no leather to rot, it is an all around sturdy knife. Oh and it looks cool, unlike that communist can opener. Jack I am kidding, that is a pretty neat knife you have and it is a piece of history.
The one thing that seems to never change is Russian/communist manufactured goods look like crap. Do not get me wrong, I am sure it will get the job done but damn that is one ugly knife.
Roll back the clock to the cold war and compare western manufactured gear to gear produced by the eastern bloc. Put the products side by side and you will have little problem picking the communist gear.
Looks mean nothing as long as the product does what it is made to do. I think a little style doesn’t hurt.
I wanted to add a picture of the mk3 but cant figure out how, need more coffee I guess.