In 1930 the method of attaching the socket bayonet to the Russian (now Soviet) Model 1891 Rifle was changed from using a conventional rotating locking ring to a pushbutton latch system. At the same time a number of improvements and design changes were made to the Model 91 Rifle, resulting in the Model 91/30. As originally produced for the first few years, these rifles which essentially were an outgrowth of the Dragoon Rifle variant of the M91, utilized a tall blade front sight. Colonel P.K. Panshin developed an integrated sight hood for use on the 91/30 bayonet to protect the front sight blade on Dragoon Rifles in mounted use. This design was quickly accepted for use with all of the Model 91/30 Rifles and from roughly 1930-1934 this was the way in which Model 91/30 bayonets were produced. Circa 1934 the decision was taken to incorporate the protective front sight hood into the rifle’s design and to eliminate the sight hood from the bayonet socket. Over the next decade most of early production M91/30 rifles were upgraded with the addition of the sight hoods and the bayonets with the sight hoods had them removed. The end result is that today the sight-hood equipped M91/30 “Panshin” bayonet is quite scarce.

This example of a Rare Soviet M91/30 “Panshin” Sight Hood Bayonet is in FINE, arsenal refurbished condition. The bayonet was produced at the Tula arsenal and has the Tula “Star” mark on the reverse shank and the push button release. Letters that appear to be H and K in circles are present on the shank as well and are either inspection or rebuild markings. Additional markings include a T and the serial number 15364. The bayonet retains most of its arsenal refurbished blackened finish and there are some indications of scattered light pitting, as well as dings and impact marks present in the metal, under the finish. The cruciform blade terminates in a screwdriver tip, a feature that goes back to the bayonets used on the Model 1868 Berdan I 4.2 Line Rifles. The blade measures 16 7/8” with a 2 13/16” sockets. It has an overall length of 19 ¾”. The sight hood is located approximately 5/8” from the muzzle of the socket and is 7/8” in length. The hood is cut with two “windows” on either side to allow light to get to the front sight blade on the rifle. The pushbutton release functions smoothly and still retains good spring tension. As noted, the bayonet is refinished over some lightly scattered pitting and numerous scattered dings and impact marks from service and use. There is some finish loss and thinning due to wear and handling and some scattered areas of finish loss due to scuffs and minor dings. It is worth noting that the Russian’s (and later Soviets) intended the bayonet to remain attached to the rifle at all times, even when shooting it. The only times the bayonet was allowed to be removed was when the soldier was on a train or in a truck with a canvas top. As a result, scabbards were not issued with the bayonets. 

Overall, this is a really nice example of a scarce Soviet M91/30 Panshin Sight Hood Bayonet that would be a fine addition to your Russian/Soviet Arms Collection, to your World War II or world bayonet collection, or to add to an equally scarce early production 91/30 rifle circa 1930-1934 that has not been upgraded with the hooded sight. These bayonets don’t appear for sale very often and this would be a solid one to add to any advanced collection.