BACKGROUND: The K98 bayonet was a modification of the already modified S84/98 bayonet that had been originally developed in 1915. Manufacture of this new modified bayonet began in 1934 with mass production beginning in 1936. The K98 bayonet was a standard issue item and was accompanied by a bayonet frog to be worn on the reverse left side of the weight bearing waist belt. The K98 bayonet remained the standard issue bayonet through-out the war with minor manufacturing variations. As the war continued the quality of the bayonets deteriorated and in mid-1944 most manufacturers discontinued producing the bayonet to concentrate on producing other essential war materials.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 10" long, drop forged, steel blade with wide fullers retains about 75% of its original, blued finish with wear to the base steel at the tip with minimal surface spotting and a small dent. The reverse ricasso is well marked with the deeply stamped manufacturer’s initials, "W.K.C.", indicating manufacture by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. Waffenfabrik of Solingen-Wald. The opened muzzle ring cross guard, the flash guard and the stylized eagle head pommel only retain about 45% of their original bluing with light to moderate surface spotting. The bayonet has molded, dark brown, bakelite grips with seven diagonally angled grooves for better grip. The grips are secured to the tang by two, flush, screw head bolts. The rifle attachment stud button still functions. The bayonet comes with a blued, sheet metal scabbard. The scabbard only retains remnants of its original bluing with light to moderate surface spotting through-out. The scabbard has no visible markings. The frog attachment lug is intact but the throat retaining screw is absent. Of Note: The lack of serial numbers and waffen-amt stamps would appear to indicate this example was commercially produced to fulfill civil or foreign export contracts. The bayonet comes complete with a blackened leather construction K98 bayonet frog. The frog consists of a roughly, 8 1/2" tall, 2 1/4" wide at its widest point and 1 1/4" wide at its narrowest point, dual layered, vertical hour glass shaped leather panels with an opened belt loop to the top edge and a stitched on bayonet pocket to the bottom edge of the obverse. The base of the frog has a row of stitching near each outside edge with steel, reinforcement rivets positioned on either side at the bottom edge of the belt loop and an additional rivet to each side of the reverse top edge of the bayonet pocket. The frog also an additional row of stitching running vertically down the center of both the obverse and reverse panels. The bayonet pocket is stitched down sides with a central vertically oval front lug hole. The narrowest section of the frog has had a horizontal retaining strap cutoff with a small section inserted between the two main panels remaining as evidence. The reverse of the frog has the faint, stamped, manufacture’s name, location and date that appears to be, "Lagesa Dresden 1941". The frog shows light to moderate chafe wear through-out.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $171.00