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: 6136 / x and cof 44
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Red Bakelite
This bayonet is in very good condition, showing overall wear and oxidation from use. The lovely red bakelite grips are fully intact, and have had an inlaid ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) button in them. The button looks correct, but we have no way of knowing whether it was applied during the war, or after. The locking button on the pommel is fully functional. The blade has not been sharpened for use in the field, retaining the factory blunt edge. It does show a rather rough grind to it, probably due to the late war manufacture. The handle shows surface oxidation, however the proof marks are still visible.
The blade and scabbard (faint) bear matching serial numbers 6136 / x, and the pommel is Waffenamt marked. The blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code cof over 44, indicating 1944 manufacture by the legendary maker Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Eastern Germany. The reverse of the scabbard bears the same markings, so this is a matching set.
The scabbard is in very good condition, tough it has overall a peppered patina to the surface, which has made the serial number faint. 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 CARL HEPTING & CO. / STGT. FEUERBACH / 1942, and is the later pattern with no securing strap. It also has a clear circled ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune stamp under this. The SS insignia is genuine there is no way to tell when it was added, and could have been done post was. It is in very good condition, with intact steel rivets and stitching. though the top of the slot has been torn out by the frog button.
An original very nice German WWII 98k Bayonet and scabbard by the most legendary of Solingen makers, with an Inlaid SS rune emblem and SS marked frog. 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″