The AK-47 bayonet was not manufactured in Romania. The Bulgarians did have similar leather, but usually without the embossed edges.Back in 2008 on a Belgium bayonet forum a forum member (Romanian) stated the following on a post from me about an AK 47 bayonet I identified as Romanian: It has the Romanian reddish brown color and finish with the embossed edge lines similar to the early Romanian 6X3 Type I one and two piece snap hook hangers as well as other Romanian leather items. The numbers are a larger font and style and the all leather hanger is to me Romanian. They were pretty much the same as the Bulgarian ones I have seen since then with the following exceptions. You do mention and picture them as Bulgarian in your book. They were brand new, covered in grease, wrapped in waxed paper, and tied with string.

These bayonets were all the same except for the numbers. The labels on the box and the customs import forms all indicated the were from Romania and the seller admitted that they were Romanian, but the same as the Russian ones. Back in the 1970s, a fellow collector / dealer had received a box of AK47 bayonets and was selling them as 'Russian'. It is the first Kalashnikov bayonet I ever obtained. It is not the same one you describe, but a different one. However, I re-read your chapter on Bulgarian, (Romanian?), AK47 bayonets and still believe I have a Romanian one. Romania may not have ever made an AK47 bayonet. The Izhevsk triangle and arrow has been found on the cross guard of early Bulgarian, Polish, DDR and Finnish bayonets. Complete AK47 bayonets and parts were found in almost all the other member countries. Russian equipment and parts were found everywhere. In the early days of the AK47 in the East ComBloc countries parts, machinery and technology were exchanged among the various countries led by the USSR. As proof of this theory, I offer the following evidence. The bayonets and scabbard may have been supplied as parts, incomplete or unfinished items and completed by Finland or supplied as completed under contract to Finnish specs. To me they are not modified or reworked bayonets or scabbards purched as surplus. The majority of these Finnish bayonets are in new unused condition and have come directly from Finnish surplus. The Finnish ones are also found with a black leather hanger unlike any other countries.

The fabric hanger has the leather hilt strap attached by sewing, not buy a single (Russian) or double (Bulgarian) rivet. They do not have a drain hole, (front=Russian), or (rear=Bulgarian). They are found blued, painted or a phosphate finish. Most telling are the scabbards, They are found plain or with the Bulgarian tu-tone sanding not used by Russia. Finnish ones are found blued, painted black and with a phosphate type finish. Also the final finish is different than the Russian bluing. Most obvious is the lack of the 'CB' in the flattened diamond on the pommel and the number placement and style. They have no Russian proof or acceptance marks or numbering. However they do not appear to have been completed in Russia.

Whether they were supplied to Finland as parts or completed assemblies is unknown. Yes, the bayonet, or at least the cross guard part was made and stamped by the Izhevsk Arsenal in Russia. I believe that the 'Finnish' bayonets are collectible as such and not 'Russian'.

Bulgarian ak 47 bayonet