Original German WWII 98k Rifle Short Dress Bayonet by Scarce Maker W.F.P. With Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The K-98 dress bayonet was a dress version of the combat style, and was worn by enlisted and NCO personnel for dress and parade occasions. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with black checkered bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being a nickel-plated short or long version. There was usually a red (not present) or green colored felt insert in the rifle slot and the bayonet was suspended from a black or brown leather frog. Some had a functional bayonet latch, while it was ornamental on some.

This Heer (Army) example is in very good condition. It has a nice alloy hilt, with much of the Nickel Plating intact, though there is some flaking and oxidation present, as shown. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional. The grip plates are the black checkered type, and both are in great condition with some chipping present. They are retained by nickel-plated steel rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse.

The blade is a fine nickel-plated example, and is in very good condition, and is missing the original leather blade buffer/washer. The blade is straight, with runner wear on the tip and sides, as usually seen. There are spots of oxidation to the nickel, particularly near
the ricasso, however they are quite small.

The reverse ricasso has an Imperial Feuerwehr helmet and is a scarcely seen maker’s mark. This mark has been seen on late Weimar & early Third Reich bayonets with early style Bakelite grips. Despite the logo, these bayonets had standard style hilts & there’s no evidence that they had a fire affiliation. Occasionally this logo is seen with the initials “WFP”.

The scabbard is straight throughout and still has over 70% of the original black paint. There is the expected crazing and checking from age, with a bit of flaking and light oxidation in areas and pitting, as shown in the pictures. It has a great “out of the attic” look.

A very nice example of a German 98k Heer dress bayonet, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7 3/4″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 12 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 8 3/4″