Late Romanian Military Kalashnikov Bayonets in Detail: Comparison between the AIM and AK-74 Model

In the late 80's, the Romanian military began initial field testing and limited issue of their domestic design AK-74 assault rifle, chambered in the Russian 5,45x39mm M74 cartridge. The new rifle had many interesting and unique design elements not seen in other versions made elsewhere. Although extremely uncommon in the West, a new design bayonet (based on the Soviet pattern) was also eventually placed into service for this rifle, since the older bayonet used with AIM (AKM) rifles would not adapt to the new muzzle device. This page is designed to show examples of this bayonet and compare it to the older style for identification purposed.


Image 1: This image (originally presented on page 3) shows the Romanian domestic manufacture AK-74 bayonet and the accompanying sheath assembly. While the bayonet looks very Soviet in design, the sheath and it's complex hanger assembly is immediately identifiable as Romanian.




Image 2: This close-up view shows several unique features of the Romanian AK-74 bayonet, to include the "last four" digit serial number done with a mechanical engraver, green textile belt hanger strap, mold numbers, and the crudely formed arsenal code. While very close to the Soviet "Arrow-In-Triangle" design, the shape is different and unique to itself. Bakelite is dark, matte in finished texture, and rough to the touch compared to other countries. It also has a characteristic dark marbling.

Note the bayonet has the Romanian designed wrist strap, which is made from leather and utilizes two metal box clips rather than one, to attach to the bayonet.




Image 3: Note the dark, reddish color of the rough textured Bakelite (common to Romanian plastic parts). All metal parts are a dark gray bead-blasted blued finish, unlike Russian bayonets which are normally painted black.




Image 4: A comparison between the late manufacture Romanian AIM (AKM) bayonet and the AK-74 model will highlight similar styles of manufacture, workmanship, and materials. Notice both knives have relatively rough Bakelite texture of deep red color, and blued metal crossguards. Wrist straps are of natural leather with identical box clips at both ends, which is common to most Romanian AK bayonets but not others in the same genre from other countries. Blade designs seem identical, although the AIM bayonet has an interesting cross-hatched finishing texture.

The AK-74 bayonet of Romanian manufacture was placed into production because the older bulbous handled design (the Romanians never went to a square handle AKM bayonet until the AK-74 was adopted) would not attach to the muzzle device of the new rifle. The new bayonet has more clearance for the muzzle brake, which is necessary for it's installation.




Image 5: This view illustrates the knife in it's metal sheath, which shows an identical design to those of the previous design. Rubber insulators (used to insulate the user when cutting electrified fence wiring) can be of a number of colors, from off-white, ochre, tan, gray, or light blue-gray. The weld on the Wire cutting lug of the sheath is normally of a lighter color from the blued metal of the sheath, which is due to a difference in the hardness and make-up of the materials. This is a good identifying mark for most AK bayonets made in Romania.




Image 6: Final image is a comparison photo between three styles of hanger assemblies ('frogs") from various years of manufacture. The leather version (bottom) is specific to AIM bayonets, while the dark green cotton blend (center) and the lighter green-gold nylon blend (top) can be found with either AIM or AK-74 bayonets. There are at least two distinct colors of nylon webbing used with late Romanian web gear. One is a darker green-blue while the other has a distinctive golden-green tone. It is unclear which is earlier, but most likely the golden-green is less common and the older of the two.


Return to the Bayonets Index Page