S13352 K98 COMBAT BAYONET & FROG. (Seitengewehr 98K mit Seitengewehrtasche) 

BACKGROUND: The K98 combat 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. Originally the German armed forces utilized two patterns of bayonet frogs with one pattern for unmounted personnel and another pattern with the addition of a horizontal retaining strap for mounted personnel. This example with the horizontal retaining strap was originally designated, Seitengewehrtasche für Berittene, (Bayonet frog for mounted personnel), until regulations of January 25^TH 1939 dictated that it was to be issued to all personnel. Personnel serving in the SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), and the SS-TV, SS-Totenkopfverbände, (Death’s Head Formations) were issued with the standard K98 bayonet and frog as armed forces personnel and the bayonet and frog were carried over as standard issue to Waffen-SS personnel. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 10" long, drop forged, steel blade with wide fullers, retains about 95% of its original blueing with minimal surface spotting and minor scabbard runner wear. Both sides of the ricasso are well marked with, impressed serial number, "5137 d", to the obverse and date and manufacturers code to the reverse, "41asw", indicating manufacture by E.u. F. Hörster Solingen in 1941. The opened muzzle ring cross guard, flash guard and pommel all retain about 90% of their original bluing with minor 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 "TO" slotted, stylized eagle head pommel has dual waffen-amt stamps with an additional waffen-amt to the stud button. The rifle attachment stud button still functions. The bayonet comes with its original blued sheet metal scabbard. The scabbard also retains about 90% its original bluing with minor surface spotting. The has matching marks as on the blade with serial number, "5137 d" to the obverse and date and manufacturers code, "41asw", to the reverse. The bottom ball tip of the scabbard is well marked with a stamped waffen-amt. The throat retaining screw and the frog attachment lug are both intact. The bayonet comes complete with a blackened leather K98 bayonet frog. The frog consists of doubled layered, hour glass shaped leather panels creating a belt loop to the top with two magnetic retaining rivets just above the narrowest part of frog. The frog has a horizontal retaining strap inserted and stitched in between the double layered panels at the narrowest central section of the frog with one side having a steel stud and the other side a corresponding stud eyelet. The frog has stitching to both outside edges from the top rivets to the bottom of the bayonet pocket and an additional row of stitching running vertically down the center of both the obverse and reverse panels. The bayonet pocket has a natural aluminum rivet at both of the top edge corners and is stitched down the outside seams, with a vertically oval lug hole to the front center. The reverse of the frog is well marked with faint impressed manufacturers name location and date that appears to be, "Stecher Freiberg 1941". The reverse is also well marked with stamped RZM logo with a single circular border and SS runes with dual circular borders flanking the manufacturers numerical contract code and date that appears to be, "338/41". The frog is in overall good condition with minor chafe wear. Nice example.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $405.00