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: 1097 / d and 42 crs
Scabbard Serial: 9172
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Ribbed Black Bakelite
Condition is excellent with original bluing on blade, bakelite 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 and as you can see, this blade has heavy sharpening marks present on the edge. The bakelite grip scales are in good shape, with no chips, and just some light wear. The bluing on the handle is quite nice, and has just a bit of wear and rust. The scabbard looks to have been painted with black, which now shows a lot of wear as well as light oxidation.
The pommel is Waffenamt marked and the blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code 42 crs indicating 1942 manufacture by the well-known maker Paul Weyersberg & Co. of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Eastern Germany.
Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original leather frog, which fits the scabbard nicely. The frog does show age, and it looks to be one of the later war frogs finished in matte black. It has most stitching still intact, and all 4 aluminum rivets are present. There is an RBn number on the back of the belt loop, but unfortunately due to the cracking it cannot be read properly.
An original excellent early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a highly desirable maker. 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″