Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a rather scarce Finnish bayonet! The bayonet is in wonderful condition and is complete with the rare metal scabbard. What makes the scabbard a rare accessory is that the Finns would discard these for the preferred leather belt scabbards and use the bayonet as more of a Puukko than a bayonet. A puukko is a small traditional Finnish general purpose belt knife with a single curved cutting edge, solid hidden tang and, usually, a flat spine. Military models of puukko were popular in the Russian criminal underworld under the name “Finnish knife” or finka since the 20th century. The modified version were among the models on which the Soviet military knife NR-40 was based and which was informally called “finka”.
The Finnish M39 bayonet was designed as a result of experience gathered during the 1939-40 ‘Winter War’ against the Soviet Union. Its short, ‘Bowie’ tipped blade permitted its use as a fighting-knife or utility tool, in addition to its primary function. It was intended to issue the bayonet in conjunction with the new M39 Rifle. However, production problems meant that only 10,000 bayonets were produced. These were issued to the Civil Guard (Suojeluskuntain Ylieskunnan) during the latter stages of the 1941-44 war against the USSR. This bayonet is marked as being issued to the Civil Guard.
The 7” long blade is in wonderful condition and has been sharpened at some point. There is minor staining and pitting on the blade, but nothing too damaging. Like most that we have seen, it was made by HACKMAN & CO in Finland. Hackman was a cutlery and cookware company founded in Finland in 1790. The Hackman brand is now owned by Iittala Group, which was acquired by Fiskars Corporation in 2007. The wood grip scales are in excellent condition and displays a very lovely pattern. The steel scabbard is in wonderful condition, retaining much of its original finish.
A lovely example ready for further research and display.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 7”
Blade Style: Single Edged Clip Point with Fuller
Overall length: 11 1/2”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard length: 7 3/8″