Original German WWII Heer 98k Stag Handle Dress Bayonet by Rare Maker C. Gustav Spitzer AG with Scabbard & Frog 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 stag or bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, either the nickel-plated short (20cm) or long (25cm) version. There was usually a red 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. Often they would also have a sword knot, or troddle, and the color would indicate the branch or rank.

This great Heer (army) example is in excellent condition, and has a nickel plated blade, as all dress bayonets do. It has a nice alloy hilt, with almost all of the Nickel Plating intact, showing only a bit of wear. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional, though the felt insert is missing. The grip plates are both lovely stag horn, with fantastic grain, and both are in great condition. They are retained by solid nickel rivets dressed on the reverse.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets, and it shows almost no wear at all. It has not been sharpened, and still retains its blunt factory edge. The original brown leather blade buffer is in place, and is in excellent condition.

This fine example was produced by rare maker C. Gustav Spitzer AG, Stahwaren-Fabrik (Steelware Factory), and rear of the blade is stamped with the company’s name and address marking surrounding their “Prancing Lion” trademark:

C. GUSTAV SPITZER
(Lion Trademark)
SOLINGEN

The lion is very well executed, with his left front paw high in the air, with a wagging tail and a flicking tongue. According to J. Anthony Carter’s book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1863 by Carl Gustav Spitzer, and later registered in Solingen in 1883. It made pocket, sporting, and hunting knives, and by 1928 was owned by Ernst Spitzer. They manufactured several different types of knives during the war, including specifically early SA daggers bearing their lion trademark. They also manufactured various private purchase “walking out” bayonets.

The scabbard is straight throughout and has black enamel paint. This paint is still in good condition with just a couple of scratches, and the usual crazing and checking from age. Attached to the scabbard is a nice brown leather frog, which is in great lightly used condition with the stitching intact. A very nice scabbard and frog combination.

An great example of an German Long 98k dress bayonet by a rare maker with staghorn grips, complete with scabbard and frog. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/4“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 10 7/8″