Original German WWII 98k 1943 dated Bayonet by E. & F. Hörster with DAK Canvas Frog – Matching Serial 4404 aa 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: 4404 / aa and 43 asw

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. The finish is very good, with the usual runner marks from the scabbard. The wood scales are in good shape, with no chips, and just some light scratches and dents. The bluing on the handle is quite nice, with just a bit of rust in areas.

The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 4404 / aa. The pommel is Waffenamt marked and he blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code 43 asw indicating 1943 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.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with a VERY rare Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) bayonet frog, made from heavy olive green canvas, the usual color for DAK field gear. These frogs are very hard to find on the market, and are very desirable, especially when paired with the correct period bayonet and scabbard. This frog has shrunken a bit, and can no longer be removed from the scabbard, so it is almost certainly the one it was originally issued in. It also looks to be marked “Witner”, possibly the name of the soldier it was issued to.

An original German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a desirable maker, complete with an original DAK frog. Ready to display or fit to your 98K rifle!