Czechoslovakian Bayonet for the 8 mm. Mauser vz. 23 Rifle #2

~ Czechoslovakian Bayonet for the 8 mm. Mauser vz. 23 Rifle #2~

Sword bayonet for use with the 8 mm. Mauser vz. 23 rifle. The vz. 23 was a shortened version of the vz. 98/22 rifle.
Many books refer to this bayonet as VZ–23 "Long." However, the Czechoslovakian designation for this bayonet was VZ–23. As this was the only Czechoslovakian bayonet officially designated VZ–23, the "Long" suffix is superfluous.

Much of the history regarding the, production, use, and export of VZ–23 bayonets was clarified by research published in 2016 by Jan Šmíd in his book, Pušky a Bodáky Vz. 24 (Rifles and Bayonets Vz. 24).

Approximately 100,000 VZ–23 bayonets were made for use by the Czechoslovakian Army, before production of the VZ–24 bayonet began. The Army continued to issue the VZ–23 bayonets on hand until they were phased out in the mid-1930s.

The receipt of export contracts for Mauser rifles from Persia (Iran), Lithuania, and Ecuador provided an opportunity for the Czechoslovakian Army to standardize on the VZ–24 bayonet by passing on the VZ–23 bayonets still in service to export customers. 55,000 VZ–23 bayonets were disposed of in this way from 1935–37, with the Czechoslovakian Army receiving a new VZ–24 bayonet for each serviceable VZ–23 bayonet turned in to Zbrojovka, Brno.

Once the supply of serviceable VZ–23 bayonets were exhausted, Zbrojovka Brno produced new-made VZ–23 bayonets to fulfill remaining export orders. Original Czechoslovakian Army VZ–23 bayonets exported had an edge-up blade profile and scabbard with the same frog stud as VZ–22 bayonet. New-made VZ–23 bayonets exported to Persia had blades with a conventional edge-down profile and scabbard with a wire frog loop.

The ricasso is stamped CSZ F

~ Condition ~

The piece is excellent

JAQC0