Original Item: Only One Available. After the defeat of Germany in WWII, there was a flood of surplus weapons available on the market, both publicly and through other channels. In 1947 and 1948, Israel clandestinely procured captured Second World War German weapons, including Kar 98k rifles and M1884/98 III bayonets. Not entirely happy with the design of the bayonets, the German bayonets were refit with sturdier crossguards with heavy muzzle rings and this is a solid example of an Israeli reissued German bayonet.
The blade ricasso is marked with S/172 for manufacture by Carl Eickhorn and is dated on the spine with 1940. The wood grip scales do show wear but are presented without any extensive damage. The serial number on the bayonet is 208 j which differs from the scabbard that is numbered 1485. Original WWII era German Waffenamts can still be seen on the pommel.
The bayonet and scabbard are also marked with the Star of David and the Hebrew letter Tsadi, which was used as a government property mark. There are additional markings on the bayonet and scabbard, which have unknown meanings.
Condition is good but definitely does show wear. The blade however was never sharpened, so most it possibly never saw actual use in the field. Like with the German bayonets that were copied, it was intended for the soldier to sharpen the knife bayonet as needed.
Increasingly hard to find and ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 10″
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 10 3/4″