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My M27 is an M28

Posted: 30/03/17 (12:07pm)

So after a little research it turns out that the Finnish M27 bayonet which I bought at auction a few weeks ago is actually a Finnish M28. The differences between the two are slight but to us collectors it's important.
The M27 bayonet was the first bayonet produced by the Fins themselves. Prior to that they used mainly Russian bayonets (to go with their Russian Mosin-Nagant rifles).
Shortly after the M27 went into production the Finnish Civil Guard decided to produce a variant for their M28 rifles and so the M28 bayonet was born.
For all intents and purposes the two bayonets are the same but there are a few differences.
The M27 has raised, domed rivets holding the wooden grip scales in place but the M28 has polished rivets which are flush with the wooden scales.
The M27 and M28 have the same fluted steel scabbard but the M27's is painted black and the M28's is painted dark green.
Finally, the M28 was only produced by Hackman & Co and will bear their name on the ricasso and also the Civil Guard inspection stamp "KE" on the cross piece.
The M27 bayonet was quickly modified - the blade was repointed as well as re-mounted in the hilt. It was then designated the M29 so original M27 bayonets are scarce. So too is the M28.

And now a quick reminder. I am off on an extended working holiday from Monday 3rd April and will be away until the 4th May. I will hopefully be finding and buying lots of exciting items and will add them to the website within a few days of getting them. They and all my items will be for sale while I am away but I will not be able to ship them until I return.
If you want to purchase anything and want it shipped before I go you have just three days left.
It goes without saying that I am quite excited and really looking forward to this working holiday. It has been a while since I've had a holiday and it will be the first time that I have gone abroad to source stock. It is going to be a try it and see experience - will I be able to find anything? Will I manage to buy it? What will the auctions be like? How will I ship my purchases home? There are a number of questions that I won't know the answers to until I'm there.
If all goes well I'll do it again. If it proves to be more hassle than it's worth I'll stick to taking a relaxing fortnight in the sun in future.