East Germany Model 74 Bayonet

The East German Model 74 (often called the AKM Type II) is a knife bayonet that was produced for the MPi-AK-74 (the East German copy of the Soviet AK-74). Although intended as the new standard with the introduction of 5.45mm rifles in the mid-1980s, production was halted by German reunification.

Main Variations

• Early Production (Orange): Features an orange "Bakelite" (thermally pressed plastic) handle. These are usually more finely finished than later versions.
• Late Production (Black): Features a black handle made of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide. Arc-shaped tool marks are often visible on the blade, a sign of the hasty production just before the fall of the Wall.

Design Features

• Blade & scabbard: a clip-point blade (Bowie-style) with a serrated back. Combined with the metal scabbardtip, it functions as a wire cutter.
• Carrying strap: The leather belt loop is approximately 122 mm long. This is considerably longer than the loops on the earlier East German Model 59 types.
• Combat pommel: The back (pommel) is made of steel, which was an improvement over the plastic back of the earlier Type I models for better durability.

Identification and Markings

• "K" in a circle: This is the most common manufacturer marking, usually found on the metal end of the scabbard or the guard.
• Serial numbers: Most issued bayonets feature an electropenciled six-digit number corresponding to the serial number of the associated rifle.
• Material: Unlike the Soviet or Bulgarian versions (which switched to a spear-point for the AK-74), East Germany stuck with the clip-point design for their "Modell 74".