Some Norwegian post-WWII bayonets
OK, time to start contributing to this excellent forum :D
Being Norwegian, Norwegian surplus items are easily accessible for me, so I'm starting of by presenting a selection of bayonets used by Norwegian forces from early post war years and up to present time.
After WWII, M1 Garands and M1 Carbines were issued, but applicable bayonets were in shortage. The solution chosen was modifying available bayonets for use on the new rifles. The modifications were carried out at Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk.
Here's a Mauser bayonet modified for use on M1 Garand. Below is an intact Mauser bayonet (manufactured by Mundlos, matching numbers) for comparison.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../garand3-1.jpg
Closeup of the modified scabbard.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../garand4-1.jpg
Closeup of the modified mount.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../garand5-1.jpg
Mount compared to original Mauser.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../garand6-1.jpg
The M1 Carbine was first equipped with modified Krag-bayonets, later M4 bayonets were manufactured at Kongsberg.
Here's a modified Krag-bayonet and a Kongsberg M4.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...carbine1-1.jpg
Closeup of modified Krag-bayonet.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...carbine3-1.jpg
Markings on modified Krag-bayonet.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...carbine4-1.jpg
The Kongsberg M4 compared to a later model US M4 (Bren Dan) with bakelite grips.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...carbine2-1.jpg
Markings on crossguard on Kongsberg M4.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...carbine5-1.jpg
Markings on scabbard for Komgsberg M4.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...carbine6-1.jpg
In the late 60s, Norway adopted the AG3, a slightly modified version of H&K's G3. The bayonets for the AG3 differ from other G3 bayonets as they have a shorter grip, thinner cross guard and different grip material. AG3 bayonets are usually unmarked, but early examples were built from US surplus M3 blades. I've seen first pattern AG3 bayonets with blades marked US M3 from various manufacturers. The first pattern had a scabbard made from wood imitation. Second pattern has a typical M8A1 style scabbard and is otherwise identical to the first pattern. Current issue bayonets are (as far as I know, I haven't got one yet) standard G3. In addition, there is a special version of the first and second patterns for the royal guards. This differs from regular issue in that the handle and scabbard are black instead of green, and the frog is leather instead of web.
Here are first and second pattern AG3 bayonets, a Swedish AK4 bayonet at the bottom for comparison. The AK4 bayonet is standard G3 proportions with inverted blade and manufactured by Eickhorn.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gresland-1.jpg
I'll add info and images as my collection grows. Hope you enjoy this !