Original German WWII 98k 1941 dated Bayonet by Alexander Coppel with Scabbard & Frog – Matching Serial 4746 u 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 or SG 84/98. 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 production examples such as this one have ribbed bakelite grips. As the war progressed, the specification was changed to wooden grips.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98

Markings: 4746 / u and 41 fnj

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: Ribbed Black Bakelite

Condition is very good with lots of the original bluing on blade, with the bakelite grips intact and a working locking button. The blade on this example has been sharpened, so this is a bayonet that was actually used in service. The bakelite grips show minor wear from service, with no major cracks, chips, or dents. The bayonet and scabbard do have some spots of light surface rust from use and exposure in the field. There are a few on the blade itself, but they are very minor.

The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 4746 / u, and the pommel is Waffenamt marked. The blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code 41 fnl, indicating 1941 manufacture by the well-known maker Alexander Coppel (ALCOSO) of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Eastern Germany. The scabbard bears the same marking on the reverse.

Per J Anthony Carter’s Work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik, (Steel Ware Factory), this company was a major manufacturer of edged weapons and tools from the end of the 19th century up until the WWII period. Unfortunately, as NSDAP-control increased, brothers Carl Gustav and Dr. Alexander Coppel, the Jewish owners of the firm, were forced out. In 1936 the firm had been “Aryanized”, and started using the name ALCOSO to hide the Jewish family name. By the end of 1936 the brothers were ejected from their Solingen offices, and by 1940 the brand trademark initials ACS were changed to AWS to reflect the change in ownership and name: Alexander Coppel Solingen to Alcoso-Werk Solingen. Carl Gustav Coppel committed suicide in Solingen in 1941, and Dr. Alexander Coppel was arrested in 1942 and sent to Theresienstadt Prison camp, where he died August 5th 1942. The factory itself was destroyed by Allied bombers in November 1944.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original black leather frog, which fits the scabbard nicely. It is marker marked and dated on the back G.SINGER / KLATTAU / 1940, and is an early pattern bayonet frog, though the securing strap was cut off at some point. It is in good service used condition, with intact aluminum rivets and stitching, showing wear to the finish and leather from field use.

An original German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a well-known maker with a somber back story. 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″