BULGARIA

Austrian 1888
 
Total length = 375 mm                  Blade length =248 mm              Blade width = 26 mm              MRD = 16.5 mm                           

 

Austrian made 1888

 

OEWG mark on ricasso

 

 

Serial preceded by Bulgarian Lion

 

VN scabbard
bulgaria 1888 blade and scabbard marks.jpg (92262 bytes) 1888

 

Makers marks for German maker Simpson and Co in Suhl

 

1888 scabbard and Ricasso markings 

Austro Hungarian 1895
Total length = 357 mm                  Blade length =245 mm              Blade width = 23.3 mm              MRD = 15 mm                           

1895 with Bulgarian markings made by Simpson and Co Suhl

 

Typical hilt and cross guard

 

 

Simpson marking on ricasso

 

Bulgarian Lion on Ricasso
bulgaria 1895 cavalry.jpg (74792 bytes) 1895cavalry  made by Hungary

 

 

Rumanian mark

 

 
  Austrian 1895, the leather covered scabbard is reputedly Bulgarian, The Frog is a rare German WWI frog for the Austrian 1895. Note bone grips rather than the normal wood ones

Austrian 1895 with Bulgarian frog, Zbrojovka Praga  Ying and Yang makers mark (see dedicated page on the 1895 ) on the

Bulgarian rework by the Sophia arsenal in 1915

The initials mean: C (София/Sofia) and A (Арсенал/Arsenal).‘Arsenal’ is an armaments factory situated in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. It is the oldest factory in Bulgarian defensive industry and the biggest in the machinery construction sector. Arsenal is established under the name of ‘Ruse Artillery Arsenal’ in Ruse in 1878 after the withdrawal of  Russian troops at the end of the Russo-Turkish War. It is based on the machines, equipment, technology, spare parts and experience of the Russian workshops which attended the army. Later on, after the Unification of Bulgaria ‘Arsenal’ is moved in Sofia and its name is changed to ‘Sofia Artillery Arsenal’. After the end of WWI the factory is moved in 1924 in Kazanlak under the name of ‘State Military Factory’. Kazanlak is situated between two mountains in a central part of Bulgaria which makes its location strategically better. Afterwards the factory receives different names and has born the name of ‘Arsenal’ since 1988.

 with thanks to Nedko Nedev and Gerard Adams for this identification and information

Austro Hungarian 1895 (NCO)
Total length = 357 mm                  Blade length =245 mm              Blade width = 23.3 mm              MRD = 15 mm                           

1895 with Crowned F badge fixed to grips

 

Crossed swords maker mark, is just visible on the ricasso

 

 

Vestigial slot in pommel would make it impossible to mount on rifle

 

Close up of the hilt badge fixed to the hilt

so called ‘Klementinets’, which is a ceremonial bayonet worn by military men in 9th Plovdiv Infantry Regiment of Her Highness princess Klementina from Bulgaria.

 with thanks to Nedko Nedev for this identification
Bulgarian 1895 NCO.jpg (93617 bytes)Bulgaria 1895 NCO ricasso stamp.jpg (96632 bytes) 1895 Mannlicher NCO

 

Ricasso stamp on 1895, showing both Austro Hungarian and Bulgarian stamps (l-r)

German 84/98
Total length = 385 mm                  Blade length =252 mm              Blade width = 25.1 mm              MRD = n/a mm                           

44 cvl marked 84/98, The front of the frog has been replaced (period) with late war thin leather face that almost appears to be like paper (style of front is more that of one for an 1895 than an 84/98). Frog is marked as 1940 made 4th INTENDENTURA which translates as something like supply department (thank you Adam Lubas). Blade has typical 44 rough manufacture

Dress blade
Total length = 282 mm                  Blade length =171 mm              Blade width = 25 mm              MRD =  mm                           
Rumania Dress Blade.jpg (88543 bytes)Rumania Dress Blade German marks.jpg (92128 bytes) Dress Blade made from modified WWII German 84/98

 

German ricasso marking and modified frog hanger, similar to AK47 style hanger

AK47
Total length = mm                  Blade length = mm              Blade width = mm              MRD =  mm                           
An AK bayonet with black grips and large grip washers
Russia early AK47 model.jpg (101660 bytes)

AK47 1st model, Russian model has frog hanger with wrap around on scabbard split into two on each side.

AK74
Total length = 386 mm                  Blade length =257 mm              Blade width = 29 mm              MRD =  17.6mm                           
BIULGARIA AK47.jpg (86966 bytes) 1990 pattern bayonet for the AK74 

 

 

Heavy blade has deep side grinds to give narrow edge