Gentlemen,
Since I started my thread on the G3 bayonets TJ and I have been wondering about the bayonets used on the G36. I know from previous research that some DDR bayonets were modified for use with the G36 but I had no further knowledge than that. I researched the internet and found only pictures of the modified bayonet but no description of what modifications, if any, had been made to the bayonet. So far my research indicates that the DDR bayonets that were modified were the second issue AK74 bayonets made in the DDR. The second type differed from the first type in having black plastic grip scales , versus the red ones on the first issue, and a different pattern of strengthening ribs on the scabbard. The modifications caried out by the BW were fairly simple. They replaced the DDR leather frog with a web one which would fit their field gear. The only thing done to the bayonet was to replace the 17.5mm muzzle ring with a 22mm one. From pictures of a modified bayonet this appears to have been done by cutting off the original muzzel rings and welding on a new one in its place. Here is a comment from a fellow member of the Bayonet Collectors Networ (BCN).
"Hello Gordon - The East German 2nd pattern AKM bayonet certainly fitted the Heckler & Koch G36 rifle. The bayonet was modified to fit the West German rifle. It originally had a 17.5 mm muzzle ring to fit the AKM - this was enlarged to 22 mm to fit the G36 assault rifle. Most Heckler & Koch G3 rifles mount a bayonet above the barrel with the pommel catch locking into the bayonet adaptor in the forward end of the cocking tube. The G36 however had a bayonet bar below the barrel which accepted the converted AKM bayonet. The G36 bayonet bar was of the same proportions as the AKM bar so the bayonet's pommel mortise did not require alteration, just the muzzle ring. Roger D.C. Evans."
And a picture supplied by another BCN member showing a side-by-side comparison of a non-modified bayonet and a modified bayonet.
Since I started my thread on the G3 bayonets TJ and I have been wondering about the bayonets used on the G36. I know from previous research that some DDR bayonets were modified for use with the G36 but I had no further knowledge than that. I researched the internet and found only pictures of the modified bayonet but no description of what modifications, if any, had been made to the bayonet. So far my research indicates that the DDR bayonets that were modified were the second issue AK74 bayonets made in the DDR. The second type differed from the first type in having black plastic grip scales , versus the red ones on the first issue, and a different pattern of strengthening ribs on the scabbard. The modifications caried out by the BW were fairly simple. They replaced the DDR leather frog with a web one which would fit their field gear. The only thing done to the bayonet was to replace the 17.5mm muzzle ring with a 22mm one. From pictures of a modified bayonet this appears to have been done by cutting off the original muzzel rings and welding on a new one in its place. Here is a comment from a fellow member of the Bayonet Collectors Networ (BCN).
"Hello Gordon - The East German 2nd pattern AKM bayonet certainly fitted the Heckler & Koch G36 rifle. The bayonet was modified to fit the West German rifle. It originally had a 17.5 mm muzzle ring to fit the AKM - this was enlarged to 22 mm to fit the G36 assault rifle. Most Heckler & Koch G3 rifles mount a bayonet above the barrel with the pommel catch locking into the bayonet adaptor in the forward end of the cocking tube. The G36 however had a bayonet bar below the barrel which accepted the converted AKM bayonet. The G36 bayonet bar was of the same proportions as the AKM bar so the bayonet's pommel mortise did not require alteration, just the muzzle ring. Roger D.C. Evans."
And a picture supplied by another BCN member showing a side-by-side comparison of a non-modified bayonet and a modified bayonet.
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