Finnish bayonets

Date	History
2013-10-29	First version, content supplied by Reino Kärhä
2013-11-04	Added several foreign models

Introduction

Swedish period, prior to 1809

Before 1809 basically all Swedish weapon and bayonet types were used by Finnish soldiers.

Russian period, 1809 to 1917

1809-1917 basically all Russian bayonets were used.

Civil war 1917 and early 1920's

Finns who aimed to separate Finland from Russia started as early as in 1905 purchade weapons from abroad.
In civil war the white troops had almost anything but to mention some which existed in remarkable number (and were not captured from Russians ) were: Swiss Vetterli M/1871, Swedish Mauser M/1896.

Until reasonable quantity of Mosin based rifles were available all odd weapons were in use up to Winter War 1939. Army inventory in 1919 mentions 15.000 "miscellaneous" rifles which were outside here mentioned models.
From 1918 - mid of 1920's Finnish Army also used German Mausers of various types, supplied from Germany in 1918 and further purchased from France in 1919.
Homeguard used Japanese weapons until enough Mosins were available.
Small numbers of near anything was used in the first years after 1918.
After 1917 all preivious Russian bayonets and those that were captured during WW2 were used.

World War II

In Winter War 1939-40 Swedish voluteer had in Finland their own Mauser M/1896 rifles and M/1894-14 carbines with bayonets.
After the was they left the weapons in Finland and later on Finland purchased more from Sweden.
Most likely carbines and their bayonets were not handed over to Finnish troops but remained in depots until end of war.

Finland also purchased from Italy a good number of M/1938 Mannlicher Carcano carbines with folding bayonets of both models.

Post War period

Post war bayonets for AK, AKM and SVD were also used, but in limited number.

Regulation models

m/1747 Kajana company

OAL	710	BL	565	SL	98	SD	24,5
Production Wira Bruk and others				Weapon Flintlock musket m/1747 Flintlock musket m/1747-89 (altered) Flintlock musket m/1747-1805 (altered) Flintlock musket m/1738 Dragoons (Bohusläns dragoner) Flintlock musket m/1770 Kajana company Flintlock musket m/1778 for the artillery
Picture Picture Picture Klingor Socket bayonet. The bayonet of 1747 was the first with a triangular blade. Typical of bayonets from the time is the guard on the blade base and the socket with a collar, that can be found on bayonets from many other countries. One of the purposes of the guard is to give support for the scabbard. The socket has a butterfly locking bolt behind the shank and a zig-zag slot. The arm has a square cross section and the arm is triangular with a flat inner side. The bayonet shall be mounted at the left side of the barrel. It was approved in 1748. Both musket and bayonet m/1747 was manufactured in many examples,and can be found in many manufacturing variations (e.g. blade witdh, thickness of the arm). There are many modifications/variations of this bayonet: 1789 (alteration), to be mounted on the right side of the barrel. The original zigzag slot was filled. Picture Picture 1805 common repair model (alteration), zigzag slot and locking bolt like m/1791 (right side mounting). 1805 common repair model (alteration), straight slot and locking bolt like m/1799 (right side mounting). Picture Picture Picture Variation with locking ring and straight slot. To be mounted on the right side of the barrel. Se m/1833 navy alteration Picture Picture Picture Variation with shorter socket and locking ring just like m/1840. Found browned and in full length Picture Picture Socket is shortened to about 53 mm and 21,5 mm diameter. The blade is about 405 mm and blunt.

m/1770 Savolax jaeger rifle

No bayonet

m/1774 Dragoon

OAL	515	BL	425	SL	88	SD	20
Production -				Weapon Flintlock musket m/1774 for the dragoons
AM.023533 AM.023533 Socket bayonet. Single edged blade, zigzag slot, and collar on the socket. Mounted at the right of the barrel , edge downwards. It has a very odd mounting mechanism. This might be the model designed by Sprengporten for the Finnish light dragoons, approved 1770.

m/1793

OAL	780	BL	660	MRD	-
Production Eskilstuna				Weapon Flintlock rifle m/1793, for "Savolax fotjägarregemente"
AM.024805 AM.024805 AM.024805 AM.024805 AM.024806 AM.025053 AM.025053 Sword bayonet. The first sword bayonet approved in Sweden. Single edged blade. Hilt made in brass. Octagonal muzzle ring with locking bolt. Designed by colonel Jägerhorn for Savolax and karelia jaegers. In a royal order of 27/4 1803 the sword bayonets should be cancelled, but in Savolax jaeger regiment they remained until at least 1806.

M/1827 for Finnish Guard Sharpshooter battalion

OAL	832	BL	699	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon -
picture picture (from "The Bayonet Book", ref[14]) Hirschfanger bayonet Brass hilt, single edged blade without fullers. As the bayonet was extremely long and attachment weak the bayonets were soon replaced by shorter ones.

M/1827/29 for Finnish Guard Sharpshooter battalion

OAL	550, 460	BL	410, 325	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon -
picture Hirschfanger bayonet. Broad double edged blade. As the bayonet M/1827 was extremely long and attachment weak the bayonets were soon replaced by shorter models. 2 variations have been found; OAL 550, BL 410 and OAL 460, BL 325

M/91/24 Sk

OAL	505	BL	-	SL	-	SD	-
Production -				Weapon M/91-24 Sk
picture picture Approximately 26 000 M/91 rifles owned by Homeguard were rebarreled with new barrels from SIG, Switzerland. The barrel was thicker than original, therefore the muzzle part was machined thinner to take a normal bayonet. However the thin part obviously was too short to fit the bayonet in all circumstances and a small extension cut was made in socket rear. Further the rear sight was sitting higher due to barrel thickness and required a higher front sight. For this a small cut was made in locking ring. All homeguard bayonets were renumbered with capital S in front of S/N. In picture top bayonet with 60 degrees slot angle, next 30 degrees and below 2 scabbard versions. Similar scabbards were used for Army M/91 rifles as well. On leather scabbards and frogs Homeguard property marking was either Sk.Y. or S.Y. stamp. Second picture shows the cuts in socket and locking ring.

M/91 dragoon

OAL	375	BL	-	SL	-	SD	-
Production -				Weapon M/91 dragoon
picture In 1923-24 German 98 a carbines were replaced by Mosin cavalry rifles at cavalry troops. As the original M/91 bayonet was uncomfortably long about 3000 bayonets were shortened for cavalry use. The bayonet was cut shorter and the new tip was ground thinner at about 100 mm length and bayonet reblued. Also a short leather scabbard was made. In picture top bayonet with 90 degrees slot angle, next 30 degrees and below scabbard.

M/27, M/29

OAL	412	BL	300	MRD	16,5
Production M 27 Fiskars M 29 Fiskars (the majority) and Hackman & Co				Weapon M/27
picture In summer 1928 first series of M/27 bayonets were ordered from Fiskars. The bayonet consisted of hilt, loose crossguard and interchangeable blade sitting in a dove tail in hilt. Crossguard was kept on place between blade and hilt and the whole thing was kept together with 2 rivets penetrating grip plates. Rivet heads were domed to allow their easy removal for blade change. This design was immediately found weak and it is not known how many M/27 bayonets actually were made. The problem was solved by welding the crossguard to hilt by two weld spots behind crossguard, further on the dovetail design was also modified and one internal rivet was added. This modification was called M/1929 and more or less all bayonets existing today are of this type. Scabbard was fluted and blued. In beginning lot of German G98 left-over frogs were used with these scabbards. New frogs were made by several companies, in the beginning without securing strap and later with strap. Early scabbards were of brown leather and since about 1935 green. The bayonet had no oil hole on pommel but at later overhauls holes have been drilled in a few cases. Also rivets have been sometimes replaced by tubular rivets. Hilt is blued and blade bright.

M/28 Sk

OAL	412	BL	300	MRD	16,5
Production Hackman & Co				Weapon M/28 Sk
picture The bayonet is very similar to M/27 but metal parts are permanently attached together. Blade is welded to hilt in middle of tang. Crossguard is attached with a pins behind crossguard, inside grip plates. Pommel has no oil hole but again at later overhaul it was drilled in some cases. Grip plates are attached by flat ground rivets as there was no possibility to replace the blade. In some late production models grip plates are attached by screws as well. Tubular overhaul rivets exist occasionally, too. M/28 Sk bayonets were made solely by Hackman. In front of S/N is a capital S, further in Pommel are 2 or 3 last digits of the rifle S/N. Scabbard is fluted as M/27 but lacquered green. Hilt is blued and blade bright.

M/28/30 Sk

OAL	412	BL	300	MRD	16,5
Production Hackman & Co, the majority Fiskars, less than 1/3				Weapon M/28-30 Sk
Picture The bayonet is of similar design as M/28 Sk with following exceptions: Blade is welded to hilt very close to pommel There is oil hole on pommel, however some early models do not have oil hole Crossguard is attached with 2 visible pins thru crossguard Blade is thicker with clear sharpened cutting edges Grips are made of curled Birch and attached with screws. All metal is polished. Above maker's name on blade is marking Sk.Y., in front of S/N a capital S and on pommel 2 digits of rifle S/N. Scabbard is plain and blued. Majority of these bayonets were made by Hackman and minority by Fiskars.

M/35

OAL	412	BL	300	MRD	16,5
Production Hackman & Co Fiskars				Weapon M/27
Picture Picture The bayonet is similar to M/28-30 Sk but it is blued overall and does not have Sk-markings. There are 2 different blade tip sharpening patters depending on maker. In picture above is Fiskars and below Hackman.

M/39

OAL	295	BL	180	MRD	16,5
Production O.Y. VELJEKSET KUMALA A.B.				Weapon M/39
Picture Actually M/39 rifle was intended both to Army and Homeguard. For certain reasons only Homeguard ordered bayonets M/39 from maker Veljekset Kulmala. The bayonets were mostly used in front as they were made during war but financed by Homeguard. Thus they do not bear typical Sk-numbers but just Sk.Y. property marking. Metal parts are bright and scabbard made of green leather with steel reinforcement in tip. Some early scabbard were brown. A few prototypes with slightly different handle and pommel exist.

M/42

OAL	295	BL	180	MRD	16,5
Production Hackman & Co, the majority Fiskars, less than 1/3				Weapon M/39
Picture Due to delivery problems at M/39 Sk bayonet maker some 150 bayonets were shortened and sent to units for field tests. The blade was cut and ground to M/39 blade form, crossguard was cut as well. Scabbard was shortened, too. This actually was a Homeguard project but carried out by Army in war time. Majority of modifications was made from M/28-30 Sk bayonets with polain scabbards, but a small numer of M/28 Sk and M/29 bayonets and fluted scabbards were shortened as well. The field tests didn't lead to any result and the bayonets were collected to depots in 1943.

M/54

OAL	310	BL	200	MRD	17,5
Production -				Weapon RK54 = AK47
Picture This is a standard Soviet AK 47 bayonet purchased to Finland in second half of 1950's.

M/62

OAL	268	BL	160
Production Fiskars Hackman & Co				Weapon RK62, RK71
Picture Picture Knife bayonet Different production variations of M/62 bayonets, assumed oldest below. From top: -Hackman -Fiskars -no maker's name, late blade tip pattern -no maker's name, early blade tip pattern -rejected blade forging with straight upper blade tip. This seems to be the rarest M/62 version. Different M/62 scabbards, from top: -decorated for knives -white for limited parade use -late pattern with 3 rivets -11 large rivets with unit marking ( souvenir ) -early pattern 11 smaller rivets

M/95

OAL	304	BL	174	MRD	22
Production -				Weapon SAKO M/92
Picture Before purhcasing assault rifles from ex DDR and China SAKO developed and made a limited series of M/92 assault rifles. For these were purchased from Germany a small quantity of commercially made KCB bayonets.

Ex DDR bayonets

OAL	-	BL	-	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon AK, AKM and SVD rifles
Picture In 1990's Finland purchased from China and ex DDR stocks AK, AKM and SVD rifles. At least with DDR weapons came lots of bayonets but it's for the moment unknown if bayonets ever distributed to troops.

Knives

M/62 knife

OAL	268	BL	160
Production -				Weapon -
Picture A knife version of M/62 bayonet with decorative scabbards. These were sold as souvenirs to conscripts at end of 1960's - beginning of 1970's

Peltonen knives

OAL	275	BL	160
Production -				Weapon -
Picture When Fiskars stopped manufacturing on M/62 bayonets a skilled knife smith J-P. Peltonen purchased the forging moulds as well as plastic handle moulds starting to manufacture hunting- and outdoor knives based on this bayonet. First models were very similar to early knife versions but the latest versions hardly remain the original bayonet any longer. In the picture two versions are showed.

Valmet knives

OAL	270	BL	160
Production -				Weapon -
Picture Valmet ( producer of M/62 gun ) used as company souvenir M/62 knife versions. They are chromium plated with company logo etched on blade. Brown leather scabbar with company logo as well.

Trial/Experimental models

M/60 folding bayonet prototype

OAL	307	BL	195	MRD	16
Production -				Weapon RK60
Picture Folding prototype of M/60 bayonet. Metal parts are lacquered green. Scabbard is hand made of brown leather.

M/60 fixed bayonet prototype

OAL	275	BL	167	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon RK60
Picture Fixed prototype very similar to series production bayonet. Rubber grip is hand made and attached with tubular rivets. Scabbard is series production M/60.

M/60 fixed bayonet prototype

OAL	275	BL	167	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon RK60
Picture Fixed prototype with locking latch in different place than in series production. Rubber grip is hand made and attached with tubular rivets. Scabbard is hand made of brown leather.

M/60 folding bayonet

OAL	304	BL	192	MRD	18
Production -				Weapon RK60
Picture Folding bayonet of series production. Metal parts lacquered green. Brown leather scabbard marked with maker's logo FN = Friitala Nahka.

M/60 fixed bayonet

OAL	277	BL	170	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon RK60
Picture Fixed bayonet of series production. Molded black rubber grip attached with pin rivets. Metal parts lacquered green. Brown leather scabbard with maker's logo FN.

Foreign models

Vetterli

OAL	555	BL	445	SD	18
Production -				Weapon -
picture Standard Swiss Vetterli socket bayonet.

Mosin Ersatz

OAL	-	BL	-	SD	-
Production -				Weapon -
picture During Civil War and shortly thereafter Finns used quite a number of various German Ersatz bayonets but they were abandoned as soon as "ordinary" Mosin bayonets became available. Pictured are 2 typical ones.

M/95 Winchester

OAL	523	BL	426	SD	16
Production -				Weapon -
picture Russians left behind in Finland 1917 several thousands of m/95 Winchester rifles. In Army inventory 1919 they were 3600 pcs but as it was a kind of luxury weapon at least hundreds of them were kept privately after the civil war. They did not see much service in Finland until 1939 when all possible firearms were taken from stocks for use. 2 variations of this bayonet exist in Finland (See picture): On top a normal version. Below scarce blade version where the manufacturer possibly has used an US m/1905 blade. About 1/20 or less of m/95 bayonets have this blade.

SG98

OAL	-	BL	-	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon -
picture In 1919 Finland purchased from France a big quantity of WW1 surplus weapons. As there was lack of short rifles cavalry and artillery used until mid 1920's also German 98a carbines with various types of bayonets. The weapons often had unit markings but bayonets rarely. In picture an example on a long SG98 bayonet unit marking. K.T.R.1. N.10 is for Finnish field artillery regiment 1 weapon No. 10.

Arisaka

OAL	-	BL	-	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon -
picture picture Russia had captured in Russo-Japanese war in 1902 a number of Japanese M/1897, M/1902 and M/1905 rifles and carbines. Further United Kingdom supplied to Russia during WW1 the same weapons. Russia used them on secondary front like Finland and when retreating from Finland in 1917-18 red troops gave a lot of them to red Finns. Soon they were in hands on both sides of Civil War. After 1918 Homeguard widely used Arisakas. They also seem to have shortened the bayonets quite much. As this was not official there were no instructions and near each shortened bayonet is different. On picture a few examples. Here TL varies from 300 to 345mm and scabbards and frogs have been modified differently.

Arisaka long

OAL	510	BL	400	SD	14,2
Production -				Weapon -
picture picture Arisaka rifles were left behind by Russian troops 1917. They were partly war booty from Russo-Japanese war in 1904-5 and partly WWI aid from UK to Russia. Thus these weapons have been made before 1915. After the Civil War approximately 18 000 rifles and carbines of models m/97, m/02 and m/05 were in Army stock. They were given to Homeguard who used them until early 1930's when majority of these were collected back and sold abroad. Approximately 2000 pcs of above number have been m/02 naval rifles. In picture top m/97 ( type 30 ) and below m/02 ( type 35 ). Both models here have 2 versions; round profile fuller and square profile fuller. As a big number of Arisaka rifles came from UK it is quite usual to see British regimental markings on both rifles and bayonets. One example can be seen oin the picture. Usually these bayonets have no Finnish markings, but extremely rarely they may have a large S stamped on wooden grip for Homeguard property.

Italian M/38

OAL	290	BL	177	SD	13,5
Production -				Weapon -
picture 1940 Finland purchased from Italy near 100 000 new m/38 carbines. 1941 they were delivered to troops whose primary weapon was other than rifle. 2 different bayonet versions exist in Finland, both of them more or less equally.

Training bayonets

In 1920's a couple of hundreds of Berdan II rifles were converted to bayonet fencing use.
They had a spring loaded bar in barrel and a soft ball at it's end.
They look quite similar to Swedish training rifles.

In army units have been made small quantities of improvized bayonet fencing rifles; totally wooden look-a-likes with soft ball on muzzle, rifle stocks with sharp steel bar attached etc.

M/91 fencing

OAL	-	BL	-	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon -
Picture M/1891 socket bayonet with round metal disc welded or riveter on tip. Disks may be smaller or bigger and with or without softening. In this example the disc is 18 mm diameter. Possibly made by a local armourer.

M/28 fencing with fixed bayonet

OAL	-	BL	-	MRD	-
Production -				Weapon Shortened M/28 Sk
Picture Photo from "Military Small Arms in Finland 1918-1988" by Markku Palokangas. In beginning of 1960's about 100 pcs of M/28 Sk rifles were shortened, attached with permanent blank firing device and a fixed knife bayonet. The bayonet blade tip was ground blunt, crossguard cut and grip plates as well as pommel removed. Then the blade tang was welded to the barrell.

M/91 dragoon with rubber bayonet

OAL	292	BL	192	MRD	22
Production -				Weapon M/91 dragoon
Picture The commonly known designation of M/66 is actually wrong. These were made already in 1950's and and started to collect back to depots in 1960's. The combination is called "M/1891 dragoon rifle with rubber bayonet". The rifle has a permanently attached blank firing device. Black rubber bayonet attachs over the BFD and cleaning rod.

AK and AKM fencing rifles


In 1990's Finland purchased from ex DDR-stocks plenty of different weapons. Part of AK's and AKM's were deactivated and converted to close combat guns. However no photo available so far.

References

Referenses
[1]	Reino Kärhä, "Suomalalaiset pistimet", 1975
[2]	Palokangas, Markku, "Military Small Arms in Finland 1918-1988"
[3]	Svevap, "Bajonetten då till nu", 1976
[4]	Lissmark, Bengt. "Svenska bajonetter 1696 - 1965", 1973
[5]	Schöön, Björn. "Bayonets, Bajonetter, Bajonette", 1986
[6]	Kiesling, Paul, "Bayonets of the world"
[7]	von Schreber, Tor Schreber, "Karolinska bajonetter och deras föregångare på kontinenten" "Föreningens armémusei vänner Meddelande IV ", 1941
[8]	von Goës, Nils, "Söderhamns gevärsfaktori 1620 - 1813", 1988
[9]	Janzen, Jerry L, "Bayonets of the Remington cartridge period", 1993
[10]	Evans, R.D.C. Articles in e.g. Vaabenhistorik Selskaps tidskrift.
[11]	Alm, Josef. Eldhandvapen I och II
[12]	Alm, Josef. Arméns eldhandvapen förr och nu
[13]	Alm, Josef. Flottans handvapen
[14]	White Peter, Watts John. The bayonet book