Original German WWII 1940 dated 98k Bayonet by Ernst Pack & Söhne with Scabbard – Matching Serial 7538 d Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In 1935 the German military introduced the K98k bolt action rifle or Karabiner 98 Kurz, as a replacement for the older GEW98 or Gewehr 98. A new, shorter bayonet was designed to go along with the shortened rifle. The K98 bayonet was officially named Seitengewehr 84/98 III or SG 84/98 III. The bayonet was designed as a close combat sidearm that could be placed on the tip of a K98.

The total length of the K98 bayonet was 15.2 inches, far shorter than the 20 inch long GEW98 bayonet. The blade was also straighter in shape and the hand guard was omitted. The K98 bayonet was carried in a leather frog, or Seitengewehrtragetasche, on the left side on the equipment belt in combination with the shovel and its carrier. The maker marks on k98 bayonets where stamped onto the top of the blade. On the reverse the batch number and suffix were stamped. Early WWII bayonets from some makers also had markings on the spine.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III

Markings: 7538 / d, E. PACK & S. and 40 (on spine)

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: Ribbed Black Bakelite

Condition of the bayonet is very good, with much of the original bluing on blade, bakelite grips intact and a working locking button. The blade on this example has definitely seen use in service, and shows sharpening and cleaning on the edge, which has removed the finish from much of the blade flat, while the fuller and ricasso still have the original bluing well retained. The bakelite grip scales are in good shape, with no chips, and just some light service wear. The bluing on the handle is worn on the edges from cleaning, with a bit of rust specking, and the scabbard is similar, showing much of the original finish, with some light rust in areas. The scabbard also has a wide flat dent on the reverse, but this does not interfere with sheathing the blade.

The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 7538 / d. The pommel is Waffenamt marked and the blade ricasso is also marked by maker E. PACK & S. (Ernst Pack & Söhne), a rare edged weapon producer from Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in the mountains of Western Germany. The spine of the blade is marked 40, for 1940, and the scabbard is marked E. PACK & S. / 1940 on the reverse. Shortly after this manufacturers made the move to three letter codes, so this is a very nice matched early war example. For more information please see Watts & White, The Bayonet Book, page 193, item 296.

An original early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a highly desirable rare maker. Ready to display or fit to your 98K rifle!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 1 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 10 1/2″