In 1961, the first FALs were delivered to South Africa in a small batch. These rifles were equipped with this “Early Type” FAL Bayonet meant for the FAL without a flash hider. These bayonets are very unique to the later variants as they attach to a lug and have a completely different blade shape.
This bayonet features the “M inside U” stamp which denotes that it belongs to the “Union Of South Africa” and was meant for military service. On the other side of the pommel, it is marked “SAP” meaning it was used by police. This mark is partially defaced which likely happened when it was taken from inventory and the owner wanted to hide its source.
In 2001 when South Africa destroyed a large amount of R1s and other FAL variants, it was found that only 3700 of these were in inventory (and destroyed), making surviving examples even more scarce.
In 1961, the first FALs were delivered to South Africa in a small batch. These rifles were equipped with this “Early Type” FAL Bayonet meant for the FAL without a flash hider. These bayonets are very unique to the later variants as they attach to a lug and have a completely different blade shape.
This bayonet features the “M inside U” stamp which denotes that it belongs to the “Union Of South Africa” and was meant for military service. On the other side of the pommel, it is marked “SAP” meaning it was used by police. This mark is partially defaced which likely happened when it was taken from inventory and the owner wanted to hide its source.
In 2001 when South Africa destroyed a large amount of R1s and other FAL variants, it was found that only 3700 of these were in inventory (and destroyed), making surviving examples even more scarce.
