The Israeli M49 bayonet was the first to be entirely manufactured in Israel for the Mauser K98 rifles.
In 1947 and 1948, Israel clandestinely procured and captured Second World War German weapons, including Kar 98k rifles and M1884/98 III bayonets.
The Israelis replaced the crosspiece on the German M1884/98 III bayonet with one that had a full muzzle ring and designated it, Bayonet Mk. 1A. The bayonet and scabbard are also marked with the Star of David and the Hebrew letter Tsadi (צ), which is used as a government property mark to this day.
Israel commenced manufacture of bayonets in 1949 to supplement the German M1884/98 III, VZ–24, and FN M1924 bayonets which they had obtained to equip their fledgling Army. Although a sturdy and serviceable bayonet, the fit and finish is crude compared to the German bayonet from which it was copied.
The ricasso and scabbard are marked in Hebrew, which reads:
כידון 1א
היוצר 101
ש 49
Bayonet 1A
Hayotzer 101
Year 49
The bayonet and scabbard are also marked with the Star of David and the Hebrew letter Tsadi.
