6KH4 bayonet
Bayonet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 6Kh4 bayonet (Russian: Изделие 6Х4, lit. 'Product 6Kh4') is a bayonet produced by the Izhmash for use with AK-74 and AKM type rifles.[1]
| 6Kh4 6Х4 | |
|---|---|
A 6KH4 bayonet and its shaft. | |
| Type | Bayonet |
| Place of origin |  Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1965 - present |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Izhmash |
| Manufacturer | Izhmash Tula Arsenal |
History
Design
Visually, the blade on the 6Kh4 was similiar to that of 6Kh3's.[4]
The handle on the 6Kh4 is a singular part glued to the tang and fixed in-place via a cross pin.[5] The bayonets scabbard was made out of molded plastic, with a metal end for the wirecutter, which eliminated the need for a rubber insulator.[2]
A fiberglass rod was used to fix the shank in place, for more reliable fastening of the blade in the handle.[4] A massive steel tip was installed from the back of the handle.[4] The design of the 6Kh4 had better electrical insulation due to the metal blade and handle not directly touching eachother.[4] The wirecutting mechanism on the 6Kh4 did not differ from the one on the 6Kh3.[4]
The bayonet is connected to an AK rifle using a mounting stud under the rifles gas block.[6]
Production
![](#/media/File:Bagnet_ćwiczebny_wz._85_"Gal".jpg)
The 6Kh4's production began in 1965, with it being intended to be used with AKM rifles.[1] Following the adoption of 5.45 rifles (AK-74and its variants), the bayonet migrated from the AKM to the new rifle delivery set.[4] During the production of the 2nd type in 1972, casting was used instead of metal-cutting, which led to some changes in the design.[4] The 4th type was produced in 1981 by TsNIITochMash and was issued in small quantities.[3] In 1986, a small batch of type-4 6Kh4 bayonets was produced for commemorative AKM rifles issued to Soviet border guards as awards.[3] The production of 6Kh4 bayonets would cease that same year.
Variants of the 6Kh4 were produced in countries of the Eastern Bloc,such as the Polish People's Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania, German Democratic Republic and the People's Republic of Bulgaria.[2][7] The Polish wz.85 fencing bayonet utilized the 6Kh4 hilt.[8]
Users
Afghanistan[9]
Albania[9]
Algeria[9]
Angola[9]
Bangladesh[9]
Benin[9]
Cape Verde[9]
Chad[9]
Comoros[9]
Cuba[9]
Egypt[7]
Equatorial Guinea[9]
Grenada[9]
Guinea[9]
Guinea-Bissau[9]
Guyana[9]
Indonesia[9]
Iraq[9][7]
Laos[9]
North Korea[9][7]
Poland
People's Republic of China[7]
Russia
São Tomé and Príncipe[9]
Sierra Leone[9]
Seychelles[9]
Somalia[9]
South Yemen[9]
Sudan[9]
Sri Lanka[9]
Tanzania[9]
Vietnam[9]
Uganda[9]
Zimbabwe[9]
Former Users
Gallery
Polish Land Forces troops marching with Beryl rifles, 6Kh4 bayonets installed.
6Kh4 bayonet installed onto a Zastava M76
Black-colored 6Kh4 variant
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