Bayonet vz. 58

Production of the bayonet began simultaneously with production of the submachine gun. The designer of the bayonet was Mr. Jiří Čermák. The army received the first delivery at the beginning of 1960. The bayonet was designed from the start so that it could be used one-handed wherever the situation did not allow mounting the bayonet on the submachine gun. The blade is shortened so that its length is suitable for close-combat use. It is slender but quite strong with a central tip and short false edge, relieved on both sides by a fuller groove. In the spine of the handle is a groove for mounting on the rails with a lug on the underside of the submachine gun barrel.

The bayonet was manufactured by Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod, which also produced the submachine guns. Bayonets were initially laboriously made from forgings, after the first visual innovation using precision casting. Finishing was carried out by machining, polishing and bluing. Production of the beech wood was ensured by Dřevařský závod Litovel.

Over the years the bayonet was produced in four variants with the same dimensions, differing only in minor details:

• 1st variant — handle scales from a beech wood block, no external markings. In the tang recess, crossed swords and OTK mark are stamped.
• 2nd variant — scales from pressed chipboard bonded with formaldehyde resole (Bučina Zvolen), glued with epoxy resin. Due to insufficient bond strength, secured with a rivet. A second rivet was added at the Military Repair Plant (VOZ) when the joint came loose. Interesting specimens are those where, due to a shortage of scales, the extended tang of the handle was welded and fitted with scales of the final type.
• 3rd variant — in the 1970s the lower part of the guard was extended in the shape of a slender nose, which prevented the palm from slipping and provided better support when used one-handed. Oval recess in the tang 10 mm longer and 2 mm wider. Scales again only glued, gradually secured with rivets. Produced using precision casting technique.
• 4th variant — extended tang along the full length of the handle, protruding about 5 mm beyond the end of the scales. Solution to the problem of scales breaking when throwing the bayonet — the extended tang absorbed the impact upon hitting the target.

Bayonets were blunt from production and were to be sharpened only in case of war.

The bayonet sheath is all-leather, sewn from three layers of natural cowhide leather, reinforced at the tip with an additional layer on both sides. The suspension loop is set at an angle — the bayonet is positioned on the belt at an angle of about 40°. Most sheaths are sewn for placement on the left side of the belt; a left-handed version was also produced.

Sheath manufacturers over the years:

• GALANTA — suspension loop sewn as a separate piece, sewn and riveted with five rivets.
• KOZAP — loop sewn as part of the upper, secured with six rivets. This pattern was retained by all subsequent manufacturers.
• Kožařské závody Liptovský Mikuláš
• SNAHA Karlovy Vary
• EPRUZ Otrokovice — poorer quality workmanship, lower quality leather, press-stud fastening.

Special variants: army military police and castle guard had sheaths of white lacquered leather. The chemical troops had a sheath of green rubberized fabric without reinforcement.

• GALANTA — three stamps on the rear: ownership mark of the army (crossed swords + last two digits of year), abbreviated manufacturer name + full year (e.g. GALA 1965), OTK ring + G + number on the reinforced tip.
• KOZAP — stamp K6 + crossed swords + year of manufacture. From 1976 OTK 2 mark added, from 1985 series 1/2/3. Last sheaths: year 1986, OTK 3, no series designation.
• SNAHA Karlovy Vary — divided rectangle on the reinforced tip: left ownership mark (crossed swords), center top Snaha / bottom OTK + number, right top series S + number / bottom full year. From 1979 instead of Snaha the inscription OTK, a field with inscriptions K and K.V. is added.
• EPRUZ — EPRUZ s.r.o. Otrokovice stamp on the inner side of the fastening strap.