Original German WWII 98k 1938-dated Bayonet with Scabbard by E. & F. Hörster – Matching Serial 1773 b 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.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III

Markings: 1773 / b, E.u.F.Hörster, 38, 1938

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: bakelite

Condition is excellent with original bluing on blade, bakelite grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has the factory “sparpening”, which did not really make the blade sharp: that was up to the soldier. The bakelite scales are in great shape, with no chips, and just some light scratches. The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 1773 / b, and the pommel is Waffenamt marked.

This is an early/pre WWII bayonet, so it pre-dates the three letter code system used later. The blade ricasso and scabbard are BOTH 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 38, and the scabbard 1938, indicating the year of manufacture.

An original German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a highly desirable maker, most likely never issued in the field. Ready to display or fit to your 98K rifle!