First Pattern Soviet AK 47 Bayonet Type 6X2 1955-1960

~ First Pattern Soviet AK 47 Bayonet Type 6X2 1955-1960 ~

An excellent example of the first type of AK bayonet issued with the Soviet AK's. it is serial numbered 2244

~ History of the Bayonet 6X2 (1955–1960) ~

The first sample of a bayonet for the Kalashnikov assault rifle was adopted for service along with the lightweight AK assault rifle in 1955. It received the GAU index 6X2 and was called a bayonet, not a bayonet-knife, although the design made it possible to use it as an army knife. It is worth noting that AK assault rifles manufactured before 1955 were produced without bayonets at all; their design did not imply the installation of a bayonet in principle. With the advent of the 6X2 bayonet, many of the previously produced machine guns were structurally adapted to use this bayonet. Refinement of the assault rifles was carried out during their scheduled repair by forming a stepped protrusion for the bayonet latch at the sides of the socket for the ramrod head on the base of the front sight block. An analysis of surviving AK assault rifles shows that not all assault rifles underwent such modifications. Moreover, the blade of the 6X2 bayonet was shaped like the blade bayonet of the SKS carbine, but was shorter. The handle plates consisted of two dark cherry-colored fiberglass plates, which were fastened to the blade shank with two screws and nuts. To avoid spontaneous unscrewing, the screws in the body of the nuts were cored at two points.

In accordance with the “Addition to the NSD” for the AK assault rifle from 1955, only assault rifles with non-folding butts were equipped with the 6X2 bayonet. Presumably, lightweight assault rifles with folding AKS stocks were not equipped with bayonets. The beginning of production of 6X2 bayonets can be attributed to the beginning of serial production of lightweight AK assault rifles in 1955. It was possible to establish that during the entire production period a large supply of 6X2 bayonets was manufactured, taking into account the needs for installation on AK assault rifles of the “bayonetless period”, as well as stowage in repair spare parts.

During the entire production period, the 6X2 bayonet did not undergo any design changes. Their production was carried out at the facilities of Izhmash, as evidenced by the marks on the left side of the handle at the base of the blade. The bayonets attached to the machine guns were marked with a number corresponding to the number of the machine gun. The numbers were struck or engraved; the place where the number was applied was on the left side of the handle. Less common are bayonets from spare parts that do not have numbers - apparently from the composition of those manufactured for stockpiling or for sending to the troops for installation on machine guns that were not previously equipped with them. It is impossible to use the 6X2 bayonet with Kalashnikov assault rifles of later modifications.

JAQEE