Polish Mauser Bayonet Collection

[krukster86]

I figured I would share my Polish bayonet collection here, as some folks elsewhere have pointed out that I have one or two rarities that may be of interest for reference purposes. I left out my foreign bayonets that were either captured/issued by the Poles (Polish issue Lebel bayonet, designated the Wz.86/93, and Polish captured S98/05, designated as the Wz.98 bayonet).

First one is the Wz.22 bayonet, Poland's first domestically produced bayonet. This is one of the later pattern bayonets made by Zbr. 4 (Zbrojownia No. 4 in Krakow), comes with appropriate frog and scabbard a WWI Austrian scabbard (OEWG marked) and possibly a German frog. Earlier versions had the Zbr.4 and serial number flipped upside down. These were criticized for having weak blades that were prone to snapping during bayonet exercises due to the thin blades. These bayonets were designed to be fitted to the Wz.98 long rifles, the first domestically produced Mauser rifle in Poland, which was essentially a copy of the Gewehr 98, retaining the rollercoaster sights.

 

[krukster86]

Next, we have a pretty typical Wz.24 bayonet made by Perkun with a non-matching, but Polish scabbard (as AndyB commented, it is likely a Wz.28 scabbard made by FB Radom). Perkun was a small engine/motorcycle manufacturer based in Warsaw that started to pick up military contracts, among those, production of Polish Mauser bayonets. These bayonets were made exclusively for the Karabinek Wz. 1898 ("Polish K98"), and omitted a muzzle ring and had a flash plate to protect the grips due to the location of the bayonet on the carbine muzzle. These were a much better improvement than that of the Wz.22.

On this example, you can see that markings on the ricasso (specifically the serial number) are faded/worn, but still visible. It is my understanding that the smaller letter in the geometric shape is the Perkun factory acceptance marking and the larger letter is the Polish Army acceptance marking. A similar Perkun factory acceptance marking is seen on the scabbard. Unfortunately a lot of the paint on the scabbard has been worn off, but these would typically be in a light green paint throughout. Note that the Polish scabbards have the retaining screw near the frog stud on the wide side, rather than on the spine side, like German scabbards.

Some of these bayonets were captured by the Nazis in 1939 and were refurbished and re-issued. The way you can tell one of these apart from a Polish one is that the Germans typically reblued all the metal parts, replaced the rounded screws with slotted screws, and fitted these in German scabbards. I have one example of this "Nazi capture" in my collection, but haven't found photos of it, and can share if desired at a later time.

 

[krukster86]

With the acceptance of the Wz.29 short rifle, an appropriate new bayonet was developed, the Wz.28. These can be mounted on a Wz.29, or a Wz.98/98a long rifle. What is interesting/puzzling is that in early production of these bayonets, they were fitted with a flash plate above the grips, even though there is no way that a Wz.29 nor a Wz.98/98a could damage the grips from muzzle blast. Eventually a "simplified" version of the Wz.28 was released that omitted the flash plate.

Note that for the Wz.28 bayonets, the serial number was now stamped on the guard instead of the ricasso, which was much easier to stamp and improved fabrication time.

This is a pretty worn Wz.28 bayonet made by Perkun that was fitted in a German scabbard, probably fitted post-war just to have a scabbard for the bayonet captured by the Germans. This is an original early pattern with the unnecessary flashguard. Curiously, there is a notch cut into the muzzle ring that looks way too deliberate to be "damage". It seems that one of the previous owners used the pommel as a hammer, as it is deformed enough to not be able to slide onto the bayonet lug of a rifle.

 

[krukster86]

In this post I have a "simplified" Wz.28 bayonet (no flashguard, as mentioned above) made by FB Radom that is also in a German scabbard. This one also has a bit of damage to the muzzle ring, but this one easily slides onto a Wz.29 short rifle. The tang on this bayonet is the only one I have that doesn't have a mini-Polish eagle, but instead has a triangular grouping of three circles. I have seen this sort of "lucky charm" stamp on several components of my Wz.29 short rifle and Kbk. Wz. 1898 carbine. It appears that this bayonet and German scabbard have been chromed (likely post-war). Additionally, the finish on this bayonet is extremely shiny, to the point where it is almost a mirror like finish? I am not sure if it has been refinished, but I will leave that up to the experts.

It is my understanding that many of these Wz.28 bayonets were issued with the "export" version of the Wz.29 short rifle. These are typically designated without a alpha-letter suffix in the serial number, and are curiously still stamped with "WP", even though they were never issued to the Polish military.

These bayonets were also captured and re-issued by the Nazis after 1939. They would typically reblue the metal parts and grind off the muzzle rings to adapt them to fit the K98k pattern bayonet.

 

[krukster86]

Lastly, a new type of Wz.28 bayonet was to start production in 1939. It was intended for these new bayonets to be stamped with the year of production on the ricasso in place of the "WP". Since future production was halted after the Nazi invasion in September 1939, there are obviously no other dated versions out there, so these are known by collectors as the "Mobilization" bayonet. These were made by both Perkun and FB Radom, like the earlier versions of the Wz.28 bayonets. Though it is noted that the fit/finish of the FB Radom bayonets is much better in comparison. That being said, Perkun made bayonets are scarcer. All of these bayonets came out of the factory with the 1/2 of the blade length sharpened.

Additionally, there are sub-variants of this bayonet:
1. FB Radom experimented with a version that have a parkerized blade to prevent corrosion.
2. "May Bayonet" version that have minimal markings in a serial number range between 7xxxx and 8xxxx. It is suspected that these were rushed issue bayonets that did not initially meet factory quality control standards with war looming, so the theory is that the manufacturer stamping was omitted to avoid any association with sub-standard bayonets being issued.

 

[grimlin13]

Thanks for sharing your Polish bayonet collection. Always good to see more collections, German and non-German alike.

 

[AndyB]

Thanks for sharing the excellent polish collection,
few comments Wz.22 normally have already polish made scabbards typical for M88 blade type, this scabbard is a WW1 austrian proofed, and the frog looks more german and was not used with this scabbard as the hole would looks different rectangular on lower part.
-Wz24 have here most real later scabbard should be looked to backside as scabbards on Wz.24 were serialed!. It looks more like a Wz28 scabbard from Radom note the D in hexagon,i would proof it on the Wz29 from Radom, from proofs the bayonet is most real the serial 309317
-Wz28 with flashguard is in polish literature so designated, there is no signs of german refurbishment so the painted scabbard could be mixed post, bayonet could be used on carbine or KaraBineK98 which is copy of Kar98AZ.
-Wz.29 wout flashguard was chromed postwar same as the german scabbard, this piece served in polish Army, so is question the german scabbard is proper there.
-Wz.39 sometimes called of last production Wz.29, certainly in nice condition and from Perkun Warszawa was fully accepted into army by his stamps

 

[krukster86]

Thanks for sharing the excellent polish collection,
few comments Wz.22 normally have already polish made scabbards typical for M88 blade type, this scabbard is a WW1 austrian proofed, and the frog looks more german and was not used with this scabbard as the hole would looks different rectangular on lower part.
-Wz24 have here most real later scabbard should be looked to backside as scabbards on Wz.24 were serialed!. It looks more like a Wz28 scabbard from Radom note the D in hexagon,i would proof it on the Wz29 from Radom, from proofs the bayonet is most real the serial 309317
-Wz28 with flashguard is in polish literature so designated, there is no signs of german refurbishment so the painted scabbard could be mixed post, bayonet could be used on carbine or KaraBineK98 which is copy of Kar98AZ.
-Wz.29 wout flashguard was chromed postwar same as the german scabbard, this piece served in polish Army, so is question the german scabbard is proper there.
-Wz.39 sometimes called of last production Wz.29, certainly in nice condition and from Perkun Warszawa was fully accepted into army by his stamps

AndyB, your vast knowledge is always appreciated. Thank you for any corrections. I do now see the OE WG stamp on the scabbard associated with the Wz.22, indicating it is indeed Austrian. Not too many Wz.22's exist out there (let alone complete ones) for good reference.

Changes have been made as appropriate. I do have a question: Wouldn't it be potentially problematic/dangerous to fire a Wz.28 bayonet with muzzle ring from a Karabinek Wz. 1898. since the muzzle ring would be several inches from the end of the muzzle?

 

[pwcosol]

Have observed a few Polish bayonets with charring of the grip panels indicating use on the Kar Wz98 (or similar rifle). A friend once owned a Wz22 with the upper and sides of the grips severely charred from this as well...literally burnt black. Also have a 1939 dated Wz29 bayo with what looks like a matte blue finish to the bayonet but almost with a grayish hue as well...kind of hard to describe...

 

[AndyB]

As mentioned too by PWCOSol, the bayonet could be used on a Kbk98 which would case a fire damage of grips when wout the flashguard, evidently the polish serialing of bayonets is independent of rifle numbering, so is possible even the Wz.22 was used mainly for long rifles 98, which would not case any problems, Wz24 with fg are compactible with carbine and rifle, Wz29 was destined already for short rifle Wz29 and dont needed the fg.
You have right on using Wz28 with fg but with barell ring on Kbk98 could be dangerous when was caused a damage of bayonet adapter to sample, moved sideways and the barell ring could be hitted teoretically by projectile, i assume on KbK98 was used primarily Wz24 bayonets.
I believe the nut on barell ring of Wz.28 from Perkun could be added to made a sighting area free? as in that area was the front sight blade? But it looks like made by owner? more as officially.

 

[pwcosol]

Additionally, there are sub-variants of this bayonet:
1. FB Radom experimented with a version that have a parkerized blade to prevent corrosion.

Here are some photos of my example below. Grip screwbolts & spanner nuts nicely blued. Grayish finish to rest of bayonet. I think this treatment was the same as utilized on the Wz29 rifle buttplates.

 

[krukster86]

Gorgeous example pwcosol! That is something to be proud of!

 

[AndyB]

I have read some polish sources and they call it nitridation instead of parkerising, it brings a green grey finish, evidently this is not a grey finish typical for phosphating. Mainly visible in pommel, fullers and crossguard. Other point is the sharpening of blade from middle lenght to tip only.

 

[bert.f]

Hello'
Bayonet M1929 the so-called "version the mobilization", bayonet finish all metal parts Parkerised, phosphate method of protecting from corosion ( armaments department order june 21 on parkerization. Bayonet blades the so-called " Mobilization" factory-sharpened blade ( 2/3 of the blade length)

 

[krukster86]

So this brings me to another question. What is the "official" designation of the 1939 dated bayonets? I have seen them referred to as multiple Models (Wzory) across different references:
1. Wz.28
2. Wz.29
3. Wz.39 or Wz.1939

If you have an answer can you please include a link to the appropriate reference?

 

[bert.f]

Official designation is Wz. 29

 

[krukster86]

Official designation is Wz. 29

Bert, do you have a reference for that?

 

[bert.f]

Order of the armaments department 26.May. 1933
-bayonets crossguard without muzzle ring (old pattern wz.22, wz 24, wz.27). New pattern , Wz 27 (Model 27)
-bayonets crossguard with muzzle ring ( old pattern wz 28), New pattern Wz 29 ( Model 29)

 

[bert.f]

scan from the book Janusz Jarosławski " Bayonets of the Polish Army 1918-1939

 

[krukster86]

Thank you!!! I will try to find a copy of that book.