Original German WWII 1st SS Panzer Division LSSAH Etched Presentation 98k Rifle Bayonet by F. Herder & Son – Dated 1940 Original Items

Original Bayonet: One of a Kind. This is a really nice German WW2 Mauser 98K Rifle BAYONET with Bakelite grip plates and the blade dated 40 on the spine for 1940. The blade is marked F.HERDERA..Sn on the blade ricasso directly under the cross guard, for famous maker Friedr. Herder Abr.Sohn of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades”. The Herder name is legendary even in Solingen, with a history going back hundreds of years, and the family had many members. There were at least 8 different Herder firms in operation 1850-1945. F. Herder referred to itself as De oudste Herder – The Oldest Herder.

The pommel of the bayonet is stamped with waffen amt markings on one side and has the “SS” Runes in a shield etched on the other. The side of the blade opposite to the Maker’s name is lavishly etched with a presentation panel showing foliage designs, and a stylized NSDAP Spread Eagle over a ringed Swas. The panel itself is marked in Fraktur typeface:-

1 – SS – Leibstandarte SS
Adolf AH

We would assume that this type of bayonet was most likely presented to or custom etched for a member of the 1st SS Panzer Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf AH”, often abbreviated LSSAH. It comes complete with an original steel scabbard, in the standard black oxide finish. Scabbard itself is marked 7741 / f on one side, and S / 155K on the other. Bayonet and scabbard are in very good condition.

We have not offered this type of Presentation SS Bayonet before but IMA President Christian Cranmer has seen a few in his 48 years of this business. This came to us very recently included in a WW2 Collection. The bayonet is NOT in brand new condition and looks as if it was used somewhat, but would ANY SS soldier not have treasured such an award never allowing it to be fitted to a rifle even? We don’t know. 

We googled  NSDAP PRESENTATION BAYONETS and there are lots of Parade Bayonets and daggers but we also saw a couple that were clearly this style, however we could not read the inscriptions. So taking this with a pinch or a shovelful of salt and a prayer we offer this bayonet for sale.

History of the 1st SS Panzer Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf AH”

The 1st SS Panzer Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf AH”, short LSSAH, (German: 1. SS-Panzerdivision “Leibstandarte SS Adolf AH”) began as Adolf AH’s personal bodyguard, responsible for guarding the Führer’s person, offices, and residences. Initially the size of a regiment, the LSSAH eventually grew into an elite division-sized unit during World War II.

The LSSAH participated in combat during the invasion of Poland, and was amalgamated into the Waffen-SS together with the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) and the combat units of the SS-Totenkopfverbände (SS-TV) prior to Operation Barbarossa in 1941. By mid-1942 it had been increased in size from a regiment to a Panzergrenadier division and was designated SS Panzergrenadier Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf AH”. It received its final form as a Panzer division in October 1943.

Members of the LSSAH perpetrated numerous atrocities and war crimes, including the Malmedy massacre. They killed an estimated 5,000 prisoners of war in the period 1940–1945, mostly on the Eastern Front