Original German WWII Customized Heer Long 98k Dress Bayonet by Carl Eickhorn with NCO Troddel, Scabbard & Frog Original Items

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 stag or bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, either the nickel-plated short (20cm) or long (25cm) version. There was usually a red 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. Often they would also have a sword knot, or troddel, and the color would indicate the branch or rank.

This very interesting Heer (army) example is in excellent condition, and has a nickel plated blade, as all dress bayonets do. It has a nice alloy hilt, with almost all of the Nickel Plating intact, showing a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional, though the original felt insert is missing, replaced by some rolled up red fabric. The grip plates are lovely checkered black bakelite, and are in excellent condition. They are retained by plated steel rivets dressed on the reverse.

The hilt of this dress bayonet has been personalized, almost certainly post manufacture, by having a closed wing Heer Reichsadler eagle engraved into the button side of the pommel. It also has the following dedication engraved in “Black Letter” type into the back of the grip spine: Zum Andenken an den 7. 2. 1939, which translates to “In memory of February 7, 1939”. We are not sure what happened on that date, as we cannot find any major events that happened in Germany on that date.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets, and there is only some light oxidation, as well as wear from the runners in the scabbard. It has not been sharpened, and still retains its blunt factory edge. The original leather blade buffer is in place, and is in excellent condition.

The rear ricasso of the blade is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm’s name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter’s book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The scabbard is straight throughout and has black enamel paint, which shows a lot of crazing and checking from age. This has caused some flaked areas, which now show oxidation. The scabbard is held in a very nice leather belt frog, which shows age related deterioration to the brown finish. Tied around this is a very nice German Heer Army NCO troddle, which is the standard green and silver colors, with a silver ball on the end.

An great customized example of an German long 98k dress bayonet by the most desirable of all Solingen makers, complete with scabbard, frog, and NCO troddel. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 2 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 11″