Bayonet Vz.33 of the Gedamerie and Police in the Reich Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,


I would like to show you Vz. 33 bayonets from the former Czechoslovak customs and gendarmerie (Bodák Vz.33 pro Četnictvo a Finanční Stráž, výrobní vzor 16/33) from my collection, which from 1939 were used and modified in the German-governed "Reichsprotektorat Böhmen und Mähren" Reich Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia by the Gendarmerie and police in the Protectorate for the use with the Vz.33 shortrifle.

The German occupiers took over the administration and the various police and customs units and subjected them to restructuring. In addition, German police units were deployed.

From 1939 to 1942 there was the "Tschechische Protektoratsgendamerie" = Czech Protectorate Gendarmerie, "Gemeindepolizeien" = Municipal Police and the "Tschechische Uniformierte Regierungspolizei" = Czech Uniformed Government Police.

The "Deutsche Schutzpolizei" (SchuPo) = German Protective Police, the "deutsche Ordnungspolizei im Protektorat" (OrPo) = German Order Police in the Protectorate, the "Sicherheitspolizei" (SiPo) = Security Police, the "Sicherheitsdienst" (SD) = Security Service, the "Kriminalpolizei" (KriPo) = Criminal Police and the "Geheime Staatspolizei" (GeStaPo) = Secret State Police appeared as German units.

Besides that, there still exist the "Zollgrenzschutz-Bataillone Mähren" I - V = Customs Border Guard Battalions Moravia No. I - V.

In 1942 there was a police reform. The gendarmerie, the uniformed government police and the municipal police were combined in the "Uniformierte Protektoratspolizei" (UUP) = Uniformed Protectorate Police.
In addition, there was the "Luftschutzpolizei im Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren" = Air Protection Police in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

In the former Czech uniformed formations, the Vz.33s continued to be used. Due to the earlier use by the gendarmerie and customs, the focus of use may have been thereafter. I did not find any information about the armament of the air protection police.

Similar modifications to German captured bayonets were made from 1942 with corresponding decrees and modification instructions. The Vz.33 were modified in the same way. So I think the majority of these changes were made after 1942 as well.

Yes, the S and sometimes the whole CSZ were removed in order not to show any connection to Slovakia. This can be found on many of these Vz.33.


First the original version of the Vz.33, which was initially used unchanged. I presented this piece before. But I was able to add a suitably marked scabbard.

The Vz.33 short rifle was built by "Československá státní zbrojovka" = Czechoslovak State Arms Factory (Marking ČSZ) from 1934. The bayonets Vz.33 are said to have been produced in a number of 30,000 copies in only two years. The bayonets usually have approvals from 1935. This aceptance consists of E, the Bohemian lion and the year.

The Vz. 33 bayonets usually carry the markings Četn (Četnictvo = Gendarmerie) and FS (Finanční Stráž = customs guard/custom and border protection armed service) on the pommel head and the carrying hook of the scabbardand a number on the pommel head.

Here is the original version without any modifications.

The blade and crossguard are phosphated. The grip head in the white. The scabbard is blued.
The handle scales are made of walnut and are held in place with two bare screws. The scabbard has a firmly riveted retaining spring insert.

Total length: 358 mm
Blade length: 250 mm
Blade width: 23 mm
Muzzle ring diameter: 15 mm

The piece is marked FS (Finanční Stráž = customs guard/custom and border protection armed service).

[Sleepwalker]

Here a Vz.33, which is still preserved in the original variant.
However, the "ČS" of the manufacturer's logo on the blade and the entire "ČSZ" on the scabbard have been removed.
An unmistakable sign of employment with the Protectorate Gendarmerie or Protectorate Police.
Otherwise this Bayonet Vz.33 has not been modified or blued.
It bears the "Četn" mark for the Gendarmerie on the handle.

[Sleepwalker]

Here is a modified Bayonet Vz.33. With him, the raceway was removed based on the model of the S84/98. A secure seat of the Vz.33 on the rifle is no longer possible with the barrel ring removed.

Otherwise, this Vz.33 has not been altered or blued.

It bears the "FS" mark of FS (Finanční Stráž = customs guard/custom and border protection armed service) on the handle and the carrying hook.

[Sleepwalker]

This Vz.33 has been completely blued. The muzle ring was preserved.
The "S" on the blade has been removed. All markings on the carrying hook of the scabbard were ground away during the refurbishment.
A screw on the handle scales, probably a replacement screw, was slotted according to the German model.

The handle head is marked "Četn" for Gendamerie.

[Sleepwalker]

This Bayonet Vz.33 was blued. The "ČS" has been removed from the blade. The muzzle ring was preserved.

Here the modification of the scabbard is interesting. Here the originally firmly riveted retainer spring insert was removed, the rivet holes sealed, the retainer spring insert turned and reinstalled and fixed with a screw on the side. According to German specifications, the bayonet could be carried outwards with the press stud and the retaining spring insert could be changed or overhauled without any problems. This modification corresponds to the German specifications from 1942.

[Sleepwalker]

Here is a Bayonet Vz.33 with the barrel ring removed and complete blueing. The screws of the handle shells are slotted. The scabbard has not been modified, but the "ČSR" has been completely removed. A typical modification from 1942.

[Sleepwalker]

Here is a Bayonet Vz.33 with the barrel ring removed and complete blueing. The screws of the handle shells are slotted. The "S" on the blade and the "CSR on the carrying hook of the scabbard are marked with grains. The scabbard has not been modified. Here the riveting on the scabbard was renewed after a repair. A typical modification from 1942.

[Sleepwalker]

Here is a Bayonet Vz.33 with the barrel ring removed and complete blueing. The "S" on the blade and the carrying hook of the scabbard are marked with grains.

The scabbard has been modified.Here the originally firmly riveted retainer spring insert was removed, the rivet holes sealed, the retainer spring insert turned and reinstalled and fixed with a screw on the side. According to German specifications, the bayonet could be carried outwards with the press stud and the retaining spring insert could be changed or overhauled without any problems.

A typical modification from 1942.

[AndyB]

NIce presentation of excellent collection here, anyway some points should be corrected.
"The Vz.33 short rifle was built by "Československá státní zbrojovka" = Czechoslovak State Arms Factory (Marking ČSZ) from 1934. The bayonets Vz.33 are said to have been produced in a number of 30,000 copies in only two years. The bayonets usually have approvals from 1935. This aceptance consists of E, the Bohemian lion and the year."
Československá státní zbrojovka didnt exist in 1934, it was made by Československá Zbrojovka A.S.Brno since 1924. ČSZ is old marking that remained only on bayonets but was never occured on rifles Vz.33. Bayonets were not produced in number of 30000 and not only in 1935. The proof is a small state CS lion, but the slovak crest is not visible there.
To the bayonets itself, by some where is removed the CS of CSZ stamp or complete CSZ stamp it means with high possibility it was located in Sudeten area, so the old CS stamp was removed. By some where is removed only S it should be in Protektorat area or the native Czech area location. As wrongly declared removing of Slovakia from the CSZ stamp .
Bayonets wout barell ring could be declared only as Sidearms as not fixing could be realised on the short slot of bayonet adapter.
1884 CETN is mostly a Sudetenland piece as CS removed, or removed later in post 1942 period.
2474 CETN, has removed only the S from CSZ so this would be early Protektorat area piece certainly, scabbard is completely removed.
3950A Cetn, removed CS on bayonet, but not removed on scabbard, probably mixed in time
6423A Cetn, removed CS on bayonet but not removed on scabbard, could be mixed too
6207 Cetn, has removed S on bayonet, but CS removed on scabbard, so i believe this complete is not so from start on, CS speaks for german area
9800 Cetn, S removed so mostly Protektorat piece on both parts

[Sleepwalker]

Bohmischer Lowe – Wikipedia

"The Bohemian lion survived the Přemyslid dynasty and remained the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia until its end in 1918. He was included in the coat of arms of Czechoslovakia. It has a rightful place in the national coat of arms of the Czech Republic because, like the Moravian eagle, it is one of the national symbols."