Original Item: Only One Available. The K-98 dress bayonet was a dress version of the combat style, and was worn by enlisted and NCO personnel for dress and parade occasions. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with black checkered bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being a nickel-plated short or long version. There was usually a red (present) or green colored felt insert in the rifle slot and the bayonet was suspended from a black or brown leather frog. Some had a functional bayonet latch, while it was ornamental on some.
This Heer (Army) example is in very good condition. It has a nice alloy hilt, with much of the Nickel Plating intact, though there is some flaking and oxidation present, as shown. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional. The grip plates are the black checkered type, and both are in great condition. They are retained by nickel-plated steel rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse.
The blade is a fine nickel-plated example, and is in very good condition, and still has the original leather blade buffer/washer. The blade is straight, with runner wear on the tip and sides, as usually seen. There are spots of oxidation to the nickel, particularly near the ricasso, however they are quite small.
The reverse ricasso has the stamped Carl Eickhorn 1935-41 style trademark logo. It features the trademark squirrel looking to the viewer’s left, holding a downward pointing sword. Above the animal is the quality word, ORIGINAL, and below is the company name and location, EICKHORN / SOLINGEN. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons.
The scabbard is straight throughout and still has over 90% of the original black paint. There is the expected crazing and checking from age, with a bit of flaking and light oxidation in areas, as shown in the pictures. It has a great “out of the attic” look.
A very nice example of a German 98k Heer dress bayonet, ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 7 3/4″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 12 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 8 3/4″