UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons The BCN Bayonet Forum East German DDR Bayonets

I wonder if there is any interest in East German (DDR) bayonets? Let's see if anyone but me collects DDR Seitengewehre.

Here is a mint and unissued bayonet in the original packing. Not a very sexy display piece but just try to find an unopened one in the plastic package.

George

A close up view of the packing card inside the sealed plastic package. Notice this bayonet was manufactured/packed in 1973 according to the rubber stamped date. Also notice the manufacturer number (Betreibsnummer) in the upper left hand corner. You will notice that this code is very similar to the wartime RBNr markings from the NS era.

The bayonet is wrapped in brown kraft paper and is then sealed in the thick plastic bag at the factory.

Here is the same wire cutter AK bayonet that is in the factory package.

A view of the bayonet itself. Notice the rubber insulator on the scabbard so that the wire cutter can cut electrified wire. Also, notice the generic grey leather frog with a clip to attach to the scabbard. Finally, notice the grey web wrist strap attached to the pommel. The blade is a sawback.

Anyone with DDR bayonets to show?

George

I have several including the modified one for the G36 made after the reunion if that counts

Carl,

The modified one counts in my book since it started out life as a DDR bayonet. Show us a picture. I don't have one of those but would like to get one.

Here is a photo of the AK bayonet in wear by the policeman on the far right of the pix.

I cannot link to my pictures anymore as i disabled this capability due to the huge amounbt of people linking to my site (without permision) to show pictures on some very weird sites. There is a page dedicated to teh Ak series of bayonets with pictures of all of mine including the G36, KM87, and other DDR bayonets (along with examples of most other major variations)

Carl,

I appreciate your downloading and link problems related to your excellent website. I would suggest visiting Carl's website to see for yourself what he has done by way of sorting out his impressive bayonet hord.

After looking at your 2nd model AKM conversion for the Bundeswehr G36 rifle I realized that I was remiss in not indicating that the packaged bayonet that I show is in fact a 1st model AKM bayonet.

Just to be clear, this particular DDR Seitengewehr is the 1st model AKM. There is another slightly later variation of this 1st model bayonet that has a plastic scabbard instead of the steel scabbard with rubber grip cover.

George

Hi George,

I don't have an unopened DDR AKM but I do have a pack of belt hangers This pack was dated May 1968.

Cheers,

Keith

Here is a pic of the AKM with 2nd type scabbard.

Here's a G36 and another pic showing the difference in MRD after the conversion.

Muzzle ring - G36 on the right

Keith,

Thanks for posting the post-unification G36 variation. Also, a neat package of belt hangers. I have never seen a pack like that.

Here is the unaltered 2nd model AKM bayonet with the smaller muzzle ring and the standard DDR hanger system.

George

There is another DDR variaton of this bayonet that has a brownish orange grip instead of the normally seen black grips.

Hey George,

This is the one.

George : I noticed in the background of you DDR soldiers photo a truck covered by a Camo-net . For everyone's interest, I have a camo-net covering like that and I had posted it on the "Camouflage Uniform Forum" under "DDR-Camo Cover " on 22 Oct.2006 ; --- just in-case you want to look at it in more close-up details!! Bernd.

Keith,

An excellent photo of the brown/orange grip AKM variation. A minty example.

Bernd,

Sharp eyes! I had not noticed your camo net in the background. Did you ever get the stinky smell out of it?

Here is another photograph of DDR Volkspolizei at bayonet practice. Notice the spring loaded practice bayonets in use.

Here is the DDR spring loaded practice bayonet used in the above photograph.

George

George : Never got the stink out of the plastic Camo -net . Her abajonet sold as DDR issue . It is 12 1/4 -inches overall with a 8-inch blade, blued metal fittings and black plastic grips . Scabbard is also blued with a web belt strap and handle strap . Do you know what it is called or what the issue name was ??

Some detail.

...and more detail.

..an other detail.

...and one more .

Overall workmanship and the blade on this one is super nice . Bernd .

... one more shot of the long attachment slot .

Bernd,

Yes, you have a DDR bayonet for the German manufactured AK47. These bayonets are sometimes called the Modell 47, although I don't think that is actually German nomenclature. I believe these were made from circa 1959 through 1965.

There are a couple of variations of these that have slightly different scabbards and belt loops. Yours seems to have the rectangular button that retains the scabbard springs but there is another with a round button too.

George

George : Thanks for the great info . Bernd .

Bernd,

The DDR 47 has the best workmanship in the Kalashnikov family.

As George mentioned, apart from the square button there is also round button variation for this scabbard. And there are two kinds of round button, one is detachable and one is not. Attached is a pic of three different variations.

Regards,

Keith

George,

I wonder do you aware that there are some Modell 47 with a notch cut on the handle ? This notch is definitely not a factory job as there is always signs of filing. But anyone knows why this was done ?

Close up of the notch. A friend suggested that this was probably done for easy removal of the bayonet. I don't know because I never have the chance to try. But according to him, the barrel sit too close to the handle making removal very difficult. Comments ?

Keith,

I have not noticed that grip modification on this bayonet.

Great information and I probably passed up several because I was not looking for this mod. You can bet that I will start picking them up and examining them more closely from now on. Ya gotta collect the whole set you know!

This area of the plastic grip is slightly relieved inside so it may well be a clearance issue.

George

I have looked at my 3 DDR bajonets as to find any Manufacturer's hallmarks and it seems there are NONE . I found the engraved G2140 number across the cross guard of the AK 47 bajonet that I posted .It has no other markings!! My AKM bajonet with rubber insulator sports a "1" on that insulator where it meets the crossguard ,the backside of the wirecutter section of the scabbard has 2 circles with an "X" in them and the metal crossguard of the bajonet has a long sided box with the letter "K " and the points of a star in it ,located close to the ring opening. The 2nd type AKM bajonet that I have with the ribbed metal scabbard ,sports the number "2 1946/4 " right between the ribbed areas and close to the throat and towards the base has 2 circles ,one with a "K" in it and one with a "Z" ; this time the backside of the wirecutter plate shows a small letter "a" in a circle . The crossguard of this bajonet has a "Z" in a circle near the ring opening .Also inside the upper part of the bajonet mounting groove ,on the upper mtl. plate ,is the number 37667 engraved and the last 667 is also engraved at the backplate of the scabbard wirecutter;---so at least I know these two belong together!!! What numbers and approval letters have you found on your bajonets ??? Bernd.

HI Bernd,

I have a 'Y' here, but the most common I can think of right cross my head is 'z'.

Cheers,

Keith

Thanks Keith : Here the engraved number on mine .

..and here on the backside of the wirecutter plate . You can also see the circles with the "K" AND "Z" proof marks.

Sorry, one has the little "a" in it . Here now the numbers : "2 1946/4 " between the ribbed areas of the scabbard near the throat . You also can see the circle with the "Z" in it on the crossguard of the bajonet. Hope you all enjoy these details . Bernd.

Excellent close up photos of these DDR bayonets guys.

Here is one other that we should mention as it is the scarcest. Is that even a word??? Most/more scarce.

This is the KM87 tool bayonet.

The East German Kampfmesser 897 was only issued in very limited qualities before the fall of the wall and most are found in unissued condition. It has a wire cutter scabbard with a signal mirror hidden in the grey web frog.

The pommel unscrews and inside are medicines, fishing equipment, and general survival goodies. These are very scarce and each one is serial numbered.

George