Austrian :M-95 and Polish Bayonet

[Frogprince]

Briefly: Electropenciled numbers indicate postwar Bulgarian refurbishing. I also once personally examined a Russian M 1940 Tokarev rifle that had Waffenamts all over it just like a legitimate period rifle. ALL of them bogus markings - it was modified to make it a supposedly “trials” rifle specifically targeting gun collectors. But to the larger issue: In 1934 Bulgaria adopted the M30 8x56R Austrian Cartridge, and began acquiring Mannlicher M.95's from various sources as well as instituting the manufacture of 8x56R ammunition. With ongoing rebuilding in both Austria and Bulgaria between 1938 and 1940, a large number of Austrian Mannlichers were transferred from the Austrian Army to Bulgaria on German order. With Austrian forces then getting German type weaponry. Which is not to say that non-standard weapons were not used by some 1st echelon soldiers, but largely more often it was 2nd or 3rd (etc.) echelon troops. Or that the matter is not time sensitive.

But that as they say is just the “tip of the iceberg” with the bayonets IMO. Because I think that you also have to look at the rifles (and pistols in some cases), the ammunition, and then the bayonets to see what the Germans were doing with the different weapons systems. For both those that were captured in stores or taken over in the field, as well what happened in those factories that were taken over by them (both before and after the actual combat phase started). With the batches of surplus field gear/ bayonets etc. from Eastern Europe, and other places, shedding light on some aspects. And disproving, or at a minimum calling some other earlier beliefs into question. FP

[Sleepwalker]

A very good source are original photos, orders and manuals

You can see Wehrmacht (Heer), Luftwaffe, Police and Waffem-SS until 1945 with Mannlicher rifles and carbine out of Austrian and Netherlands stocks. The German police manual of weapons from 1943 also listed the "Mannlicher Stutzen" and the bayonet 1895. This bayonet also were used für the MPi 34.

[timothy]

Thank you all for such good information on these bayonets much appreciated and will keep it in mind when seeing future bayonets George Wheeler mentions in his book SeitenGewher about both of these even shows pictures of them. I don't think he is aware of the outstanding information you have given me on the Austrian M-95. thanks timothy

[Reibert]

... This bayonet also were used für the MPi 34.

...

[Larry C]

Interesting observation which I know is not for this forum but for the helmet collector I see 2 types of german helmets.

[AndyB]

The polish bayonet is probably a Wz.28 pattern, with removed barell ring probably reblued and reworked by germans. The M1895 is a postwar 1.production and was post WW2 reworked by Bulgarians like mentioned already.

[Sleepwalker]

yes you are right... it is a reworked Wz.28. This is rarer as other models.

[Frogprince]

That’s an excellent “in use” photo that Reibert posted with the bayonet attached to the SMG. The Austrian Police version of the sub-machine gun used the 9x23mm pistol round, and the Army version the 9x25mm cartridge. With the Germans apparently rebarreling a number of them to the 9x19mm Luger cartridge like they did with some Austrian 9x23mm pistols for Police use. With one of the comments in a postwar UK analysis of small arms being that the Police/Security forces were notable users of the SMG. And others citing W/SS use in the early stages of the war in Poland and France, with later allocations to communications and reserve units, military police-Feldgendarmerie detachments etc. Of course Steyr transitioned in 1940 to the much simpler and less expensive to produce MP40, although it must have retained some production capacity for a period. Because in addition to earlier prewar export models, the Portuguese contract 9mm model of 1942 (which were Waffenamted as per the contract) while not sold in very large numbers was still larger than the earlier contracts. With some from that batch having survived in very nice condition complete with the bayonets and other accessories.

And a couple of photos, with the first one another example of fixed bayonets, but with the M95 carbines. With my sense of the photo here being that it’s not in an active field setting but posed. With the same UK analysis suggesting that after 1939, many were relegated to second line and garrison units, training, and military police etc. With the second image looking like a M95 rifle orientation and training session for members of the Volkssturm which is where a lot of the non-standard weapons ended up at or near the end of the war. Regards to all, Fred

[Sleepwalker]

sometimes, not very often, the M95 / S 95 (oe) were blued and reworked. Here 3 out of my collection.