Value of AK47 bayonets

**SideArm66** · 18-09-2014, 12:46

Hi guys,

I recently realized that I have a weak spot for bayonets.

A friend at work has an AK47 bayonet. The bayonet holds no value to him and he will probably not know if I make him a stupid low offer. However, I don't want to bull$h!t him so I am hoping to offer him a fair(ish) price. The problem is, I don't know much about AK bayonets.

I've noticed that a number of different AK bayonets have been produced over the years. Are there some that are more valuable than others? What will a fair(ish) offer be?

This friend is an ou-toppie and he has a lot of little military items that interest me (he is an ex-armscor employee and ex-policeman). In his day a lot of weird and wonderful military things passed through his hands.

Anyway, I suspect that the bayonet will be an item from the 1980's. What will increase it's value? Condition? Date? A particular area of use?
He is bringing it to work tomorrow. I will post a pic before I make an offer.

Any comments will be appreciated!

**BBCT** · 18-09-2014, 14:07

Check Classic Arms website - look for the link that says something like "prices realised". There are often AK bayonets on there but I can't recall if there were any on the last auction. If you don't come right PM me with your email address.

**spiggs** · 18-09-2014, 19:58

R400-R800 Bucks depending exactly what it is. Obviously condition is also important. A lot of these have been sharpened in the field and look terrible. These are obviously of little value imo

**Peter Wells** · 19-09-2014, 10:00

Post pics and with assistance from Brian @ DSG (the local expert on the subject) we should be able to ID origin, condition and value.
You know it Spiggs - if you have ever loaned a valued custom skinner to your tracker you know the outcome

**DaveSheerGuns** · 20-09-2014, 11:02

There are more that 150 variations, ranging from about $20 to over $1000 for one.
Tiny subtle details can make a huge difference. Post pics and should be able to assist. Most are in the R400 range.

DSG

**SideArm66** · 29-09-2014, 21:29

Thank you for the comments thus far.

The friend has recently moved and he still has all his toys in a box in his new garage and I have therefore not seen it yet.

HOWEVER, this AK47 bayonet seems to have a very interesting history.

In the early 1980's the South African Secret Police (or special investigation team or something) found an UmKhonto We Sizwe (MK) hide out and a weapons cache that was just brought over the border from Mozambique was uncovered. This happened in Springs, Johannesburg (possibly 3 March 1980). So inside this weapons cache were 40-odd brand new AK47's. The police men collected all the AK's as evidence but a few of the bayonets misteriously dissappeared. My friends dad was one of the police men there that day and I am sure I don't need to explain in further detail how a number of the bayonets dissappeared.

So the bayonet is mint. Complete with scabard and wire cutter fitting on the metal frame around the sheeve (what is the difference between a sheeve and a scabard?)

Every Monday I walk into the office I hope that he has unpacked his garage over the weekend. C'mon!!! Unpack the damn boxes!!!

**DaveSheerGuns** · 30-09-2014, 14:50

Mint in the wrapper bayonets are fairly common due to the number made.
If the scabbard is Bakelite, it is a Type 2 bayonet, and if metal with rubber insulator, then Type 1.
Common are the East German, Romanian, Polish etc. Russian (Red handle and scabbard with Russian markings) are around R650 to R800.
Best to identify the country of origin and then we can estimate rarity or value.

DSG