Original German WWII Heer Etched Short 98k Dress Bayonet made in Solingen with 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, being nickel-plated short or long 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.

This very nice example is in very good condition, and has a very nice custom etched blade. It has has a nice alloy hilt, with most of the Nickel Plating intact, though there is overall speckling and oxidation, as shown. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional, complete with the red felt insert. The grip plates are both lovely checkered black bakelite, and both are in good condition, though there is a chunk missing from one side. They are retained by steel rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse, with light oxidation.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets. It does have slight wear to the plating and oxidation, with some runner wear and light scratching. It has not been sharpened, and still retains its blunt factory edge.

The etched panel itself has lovely scroll designs, with an NSDAP Reichsadler (State Eagle) in the center, with oak leaves and acorns wreathing the entire pannel. Running through the center is a very nice banner with a German black letter type face inscription:

Fur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit 

This translates to “For a reminder of my service.” This is a common phrase to see on personalized items such as this. The leather blade buffer is unfortunately missing. There is no maker mark on this blade, but is is marked SOLINGEN on the rear, indicating production in the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. Raw blades were often sold to retailers for customization, and were not marked except for the name of the city they were produced in.

The scabbard is quite nice and still has about 80% of the original black enamel paint, with the usual checking and crazing from age. There are no dents, and just light wear. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in good used condition, though the finish has some cracking and flaking. The leather is soft, though the retaining loop is in delicate condition, and has lost most of the finish.

An great example of an Etched German 98k dress bayonet, complete with scabbard and frog, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 12 3/4“
Crossguard: 2 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 9″