Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/958224
As shown, bayonet even today might be still used for fighting. It can be used as a field knife if properly designed. WHAT WE HAD IN THE PAST Since the end of WW2, Polish Army have issued few bayonets introduced alongside with new rifles. Mostly, despite differences in the design they had one common feature – they were just bayonets. It means that beside fixing them on the end of the rifle's barrel in order to stab enemy, they were useless in anything else. Let's make it in historical order – first one was side-folder bayonet of Mosin M44 rifle. It was cruciform-spike bayonet with 38 cm long blade. In transportation order, it was folded to the right side of rifle. It was designed only to stab and moreover, permanently fixed to the rifle. Senseless, because despite exercises no one ever used it during peace time. Next one was folding bayonet of SKS rifle, which never was used only in honor guard units in all-chromed version. It was knife-type bayonet with single-edged blade so it could be used for stabbing and slashing. Frankly, only that because it was fixed to the rifle and folded under the barrel. So, the soldier was carrying useless piece of steel, again. After that, there was AK /AKS 6H2 knife-bayonet (in Poland designated as wz.58). Basically it was a SKS bayonet, but detachable with something which tried to imitate handle with possibility of fixing it on rifle. It was held with top open clamp at the end of the handle and a ring in the dace and latch under it. "Knife- bayonet" it was only from the name because despite the overall shape it didn't cut. Maybe during the fight you could use it to harm enemy while having it fixed on the rifle, but as a knife it didn't work. It could be sheathed in the steel scabbard with a leather frog, so it was good that soldier could have it fixed only when necessary. Then was 6H3 bayonet for AKM/AKMS and its upgrade from mid sixties, the 6H4. Change was made to a handle with a latch which in older version was plastic and in new one it was replaced with solid metal. Bayonet has a Bowie type blade, single-edged with asymmetrical, one-sided grind and a hole in front part. Handle was made from electric insulated plastic and, as it looks like it could be full tang, ACCESSORIES