A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

  • A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet

A Rare North Korean Type 68 Rifle Bayonet
Democratic People's Republic of North Korea
Ca. Late 1960s - Early 1970s
Steel, plastic, nylon
Blade: 16,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 29,2cm
Hilt, Bade, Sheath: 31,4cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 401

The popular Soviet Ak-47 Kalashnikov rifle revolutionized the modern gun, leading its design to eventually become the most widespread weapon used around the world. Newer variants followed, allowing it to be easier and cheaper to produce. The AKM Series replaced the grandfather Ak-47, with many Soviet and Communist countries developing their own variant. The North Korean version was the Type 68 rifle and its corresponding bayonet based on the Soviet AKM model.

The Type 68's grip is composed of brown plastic scales with a steel lugnut and cross guard with the serial number "3141". The steel blade is still unsharpened, with a single fuller, ending in a clip-point. Steel scabbard with green nylon web belt hanger. Missing the leather hilt strap.

This knife came out of Panama in the 1980s during the U.S. invasions and the fall of Noriega. The shipment of bayonets was originally received as aid from a third country, likely Cuba or Grenada, who received it directly from North Korea, before ending up in Panama with serial numbers ranging from 1,000 - 9,000. The bayonets were used by Panamanian paramilitary "Dignity Battalions," formed in 1988 to put down demonstrations against the Noriega government and to resist the expected U.S. invasion, which came in December 1989. Many North Korean M68s were captured by U.S. soldiers in 1989 after "Operation Just Cause Panama." This bayonet was one of the unissued "souvenirs " from the U.S. captured armory there. An extremely difficult knife to find.