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.
Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 6016 / n, E.u.F.Hörster, 37
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Wood
Condition of this example is very good, with some wear to the finish from use and cleaning. The finish on the blade is very good, with the usual runner wear, and the edge of the blade has been sharpened for field use. The hilt has a great finish, with lovely lightly worn wooden grip scales.
This is an early/pre WWII bayonet, so it pre-dates the three letter code system used later. The blade ricasso is maker marked with E.u.F.Hörster, indicating manufacture by the well-known maker E. & F. Hörster of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Eastern Germany. The spine of the blade is marked 37, indicating the year of manufacture. There are also some early pattern Waffenamt WaA253 markings on the pommel.
The bayonet comes with a non-matching scabbard marked cof / 1940 on the back for 1940 manufacture by Carl Eickhorn, also of Solingen. The finish is quite worn, and it is held by a nice lightly worn leather frog.
An original German WWII 98k Bayonet by a rare maker, complete with a scabbard and 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″