Articles of the Gazette

Irish n° 9 bayonet for the Carl Gustav SMG. ! (Gazette 20 - Article 10)

The Irish Army served with the United Nations in Congo 1960-1964 in their first overseas deployment. The Belgian Congo had become a Republic in 1960 and twelve days later called in UN assistance. The Irish lost 26 soldiers during this time and 6000 men served. The Swedish army fought alongside the Irish. The Irish were armed with FN rifles and Carl Gustav sub-machine guns. The Carl Gustav SMG had no provision for a bayonet but it soon become clear that the natives greatly respected the sight of the bayonet. It was decided to use the British number 9 bayonet with the Carl Gustav SMG by brazing a lug onto the top of the barrel sleeve – 600 were ...