Original German WWI and WWII Lot of 3 98k Bayonets With Scabbards 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 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 where stamped onto the top of the blade. On the reverse the batch number and suffix were stamped.

The Bayonets In This Lot:
– WWI Seitengewehr M1884/98 II Bayonet by Erfurt Arsenal with Scabbard – dated 1915:

This is a very nice example of a M-1884/98 Second Model Bayonet (Seitengewehr), intended for use on the Mauser GEW 98 rifle. This bayonet design is based on the earlier M1871/84 bayonet with a 10 inch blade, and the first model of these were converted from those bayonets. This example was purpose made for the GEW 98, and was not converted. The sawback versions of these are very rare, and seldom seen. The third model of the M1884/98 became the standard bayonet for the k98k rifle used during WWII.

This example has a very nice set of original wood grips, with a very nice hilt with a rust speckled patina. The bayonet lock is fully functional and the channel is clear. The blade ricasso is clearly maker marked by the Imperial Arsenal at Erfurt:

(CROWN)
ERFURT

The blade is also dated on the blade’s spine 15 under a proof mark of a Crown over W., for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted. The blade is in very good condition, with some post manufacture sharpening, though now the blade is quite dull. It is still bright steel, and shows only light oxidation, unlike the hilt.

– Pre-WWII 1937 dated 98k Bayonet by Berg & Co. Solingen-Ohligs with Frog:

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 6248 / a / S/242 and 1937
Material: Bright steel
Grip material: Wood

Condition is good, with no bluing on blade, nice wooden grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has the factory “sharpening”, which left the blade quite dull, often with a 1mm wide edge. Sharpening for use was up to the soldier or arsenal, this example has no been sharpened. There is some wear on the last inch or two from runner wear, but overall the blade is very nice, having been protected by the scabbard. The wooden grip scales are in good shape, with no chips, and just some light scratches.

The scabbard and blade do not bear matching serial numbers and the pommel is Waffenamt marked. The blade ricasso is also marked with the Zahlencode (number code) that was used from 1925-1940 to obscure manufacturers, and often had a date suffix after them, though this does not. Code S / 242 indicates manufacture by Berg & Co. Solingen-Ohligs, the legendary “City of Blades” in the mountains of Eastern Germany. The spine of the blade is dated 37.

– Pre-WWII 98k Bayonet by E. & F. Hörster dated 1936 with Scabbard:

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98
Markings: 6871 / c , S / 155 and 1937
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: wood

Condition is excellent with original bluing on blade, wooden grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has the factory “sharpening”, which did not really make the blade sharp: that was up to the soldier. There are a few small dents on the edge and spine.

The wooden grip scales are in good shape, but does have minor chips and cracks. The pommel is Waffenamt marked and the blade ricasso is also marked with German number code S / 155 indicating manufacture by the well-known maker E. & F. Hörster of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Eastern Germany. The scabbard has the same marking on the reverse, along with a 1936 date, so this bayonet was manufactured just prior to WWII.

These are all wonderful examples that come ready to be displayed or fitted to your rifles!