Original German WWII 98k 1939 dated Bayonet by W.K.C. with Scabbard & Rare Luftwaffe DAK Canvas Frog – Matching Serial 455 a 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 were stamped onto the top of the blade. On the reverse the batch number and suffix were stamped.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 455 / a, 39, and W. K. C.
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Ribbed Brown Bakelite

Condition is very good with original bluing on blade, bakelite grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has the factory “sharpening”, which did not really make the blade sharp: that was up to the soldier. There is runner wear near the tip, as well as a bend / dent at the very tip, but otherwise the original finish on the blade is in very good shape.

The bakelite grip scales are in good shape, with no chips, and just some light wear. The handle still has much of the original finish, with some wear and light peppering in areas. The scabbard shows loss of finish on much of the surface, except where it is protected by the frog. This bayonet looks to have been worn out a lot, but not actually used much, protecting the finish on the blade.

The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 455 / a, and the blade spine is marked with the year 39. The pommel is Waffenamt WaA253 marked and the blade ricasso is also marked with W. K. C., indicating manufacture by the legendary W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in western Germany. The scabbard has the same marking on the reverse over date 1939.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with a very rare blue tropical Luftwaffe canvas web frog, as issued in the Luftwaffe portion of the Deutsches Afrikakorps. This is the first time that we have had an example of one of these rare tropical frogs, and we do not expect to see another any time soon. The frog does show staining and wear, but is the correct color with the correct style of stitching, and looks to have been on this bayonet scabbard for quite some time.

An original mid war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a legendary maker in very good condition, complete with a very rare Luftwaffe DAK web frog. Comes 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″