Den svenska permissionsbajonetten

The use of Walk Out or Dress bayonets and daggers was popular basically in Germany and primary from the time of Weimar Republic until the end of WW2.

The German walk out bayonet appeared in many types and variations. Different branches of military had different models, marks and decorations. Even civilian and police organisations used these types of side-arms. The origin might be the KS98 bayonet, which was introduced 1901 and was produced in many examples like "Extrawaffen" for commercial use.

However in Sweden there is no tradition of Walk Out bayonets with uniform, but there are many collections with so called Walk out bayonets with a lion head pommel. There are also standard all nickel m/1896 bayonets and some other variations based upon this bayonet.

The background to the production of the walk out bayonet will be found when Frost Anders Mattson Jr. studied in Germany at the end of 1920:s and first part of 1930:s and witnessed the rise of the 3rd Reich, without accepting their ideology! He became manager of F. M. Mattsons (FMM) Company in Mora.

The German walk out bayonet was an accepted attribute to the German uniform at that time, but the Swedish counterpart made by FMM had no connection what so ever with the Swedish armed forces. It was never allowed to be worn together with the uniform at that time or later.

There are however reports from a well known collector Hutte Benckets who made his military service 1941-43 who reported that one senior officer used such a Walk Out bayonet at parades. There are other bayonets found marked "Tyg avd Lv 7 - 26 sept 1945", which indicates Anti Aircraft regiment No 7. There are other bayonets found also with provenance indicating that these knives were used by military personal in uniform although not authorised.

The bayonet was only meant as a decoration on the wall or on a desk. It was however sold under the name of Walk out bayonet or “On Leave Bayonet” (Permissionsbajonet”). The nationalistic feelings still rang high since 1939-1945. A sign of this is the pommel in form of a lions head, which is a part of the Swedish National Arm.

The Swedish Walk Out bayonet started to be produced from 1939 to 1962. These bayonets and knives were sold in sport shops and a company called “Vapendepoten” (Depot of arms) in a town called Falun. You can see their catalogue here from that time.

FMM ceased production 1962 due to weak market.

The bayonets were made in several types and sizes:

All of them have grips of elk horn on top of nickel-plated brass.
The blades are polished nickel-plated.
Scabbards are made of gun blue steel.
The frogs are made of brown leather.

Following models are recognised from the catalogue:

710 Small, simpel model. Double cross-guard, no hand protection. Length 285 mm
720 Double cross-guard, hand protection. Length 330 mm
100 Single cross-guard, hand protection. Length 330 mm.
730, 110 Double cross-guard, hand protection. Length 370 mm

There are many different marks found on these bayonets such as:

F.M.Mattson Mora
F.M.Mattson Mora Sweden
F.M.Mattson AB Mora Sweden
FMM Mora Sweden

No 100 to the right

Daggers

Another type of knife more close to a dagger was made by Frosts knife factory AB. They were sold by Böhlmar Co in Mora. The market for these was people in outdoor activities like hunters. The advertisement often called the knives suitable for hunters!

Handles were nickel-plated or chrome-plated brass with grips of elk horn
Blades were polished
Scabbards were made of steel and painted frosted black
Frogs were made of brown leather

Two models were offered:

6215 - Single Cross-guard. Length 332 mm
6150 - Double Cross-guard. Length 250 mm

Model 6215

Model 6150

Different markings of the blades existed like:

Erik Frost, Mora Sweden
Erik Frost, Mora Sweden Rostfri
Frost, Mora Sweden

There is provenance that at least one of these daggers was used as a fighting knife or field knife as it was later called in Sweden.

Swedish military type commercial models of bayonet m/1896 with nickel finish.

There are many bayonet m/1896 with nickel plated grips and scabbards in collections.

Variations of bayonet m/1896

1903 Tunafors Company sold variations of bayonet m/1896. These were called Knife bayonets or Hunting Daggers.

Prices in Swedish Krona (SEK) 1903.

Commercial models

The first model with flat release button (rare)

Bayonet with frog m/1931 for parade

Above 1st early model with commercial frog and scabbard

and

The first model with flat release button and etchings (very rare) (B above)

There are also some rare with etchings. Form BJ above.

Hunting Daggers based on the m/1896 bayonet

There is also an unusual bayonet based on the same construction like m/1896 but without a lock for the rifle. The blade is identical.

Type C above

Here are Hunting Daggers with double sided cross guard with no hole for a barrel. This bayonet can be found with black grip and also nickel-plated grip and in rare cases with etchings.

with black grip

with nickel-plated grip

with etchings

The later model with cone shaped button

The first model will be found with serial number “000” or without any serial number and normally without any acceptance stamp. (Later but similar to Form A above.)

The later model is often marked with a ‘+’ stamp instead of acceptance mark. This + mark is indicating rejection.

Bayonets with military unit numbers are most likely only bayonets which were plated after the military use by civilians. A military bayonet would never leave the factory in such an appearance!

And this very special item. Maybe a private purchase tool or a test item for the Military Signal corps.