Original German WWII Heer Single Etched Short 98k Dress Bayonet by F.W. Höller 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, being 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.

Enlisted or NCO personnel were permitted to purchase K-98 dress bayonets with fancy etched blades. These etchings run the gamut from simple designs featuring the standard remembrance, Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit (In Memory of My Service Time), to very fancy, custom etched depictions, citing the individual’s regiment, unit, and sometimes even his name. Many blade factories offered unique etch patterns. The etch work was often state of the art.

This lovely example is in very good condition, and comes complete with the original scabbard and a black leather frog. The bayonet has a has a very nice custom etched nickel plated blade. It has has a nice alloy hilt, which still retains the plating at about 90%, showing a bit of flaking and wear. The mortise button and blade release are functional, but VERY stiff, with an intact red felt insert that shows some light mothing. The grip plates are both lovely checkered black bakelite, and both are in great condition. They are retained by solid nickel alloy rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse.

Measuring 13.5″ (345 mm) with the scabbard on, this dress bayonet features a 7 3/4″ (200 mm) nickel-plated steel blade with unsharpened edges, remaining bright and crisp. It is a “knife” style blade with partial fullers and a false edge on the top of the point. The right side of the blade has a lovely etched panel with the text Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit (In Memory of my Service Period), surrounded by an oak leaf and acorn border and flanked by oak leaf and acorn sprigs on either side.

The ricasso is maker marked with a “losenge” style trademark logo that reads F. W. HÖLLER / SOLINGEN, surrounding the trademark Höller “Thermometer” emblem. This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons.

F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in western Germany. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their “thermometer” trademark and later with the RZM code M7/33. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS.

The steel scabbard is straight throughout, and is in very good condition considering the age. The original black enamel finish is retained at about 50%, with a lot of crazing and checking to the finish, confirming the age. This has resulted in a lot of the finish on the lower half flaking away, allowing the scabbard body to oxidize. The scabbard is held in a very nice black leather belt frog, which as protected the finish on the upper half of the scabbard. It looks looks to be the combat version with a retaining strap, so it is a bit large on the scabbard. It is equipped with aluminum & steel rivets, and is in good service used condition. The retaining strap is still functional, but the eyelet side is in delicate condition.

An very nice example of an etched German Short 98k dress bayonet by a well-known maker in its original scabbard, complete with frog and 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″