BACKGROUND: Edged weapon portepees/troddels and knots were originally introduced in the Prussian army in 1808, and continued to be worn with the Dress uniform, as a tradition and identifying item through WWI, the Weimar Republic and on into the Third Reich, with minor modifications. Originally designed as a functional item to secure the blade sidearm to the holders wrist the knots eventually evolved into a purely decorative, traditional edged weapon accessory. For enlisted personnel the main components of, strap, slide, stem, crown, and ball were woven or pleated cotton in different colors representing which unit within a regiment the wearer served. The basic regiment consisted of three Battalions with a Headquarters unit and four Companies each, with two additional Regimental or Headquarters Companies and usually a Reserve and Training Companies. This resulted in a colorful array of bayonet knots within a regiment with twelve or more assorted color combinations. Of Note: NCO personnel wore a different type of bayonet knot, that did not show association with a particular unit, but indicated position.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: This example consists of a woven light-grey strap with repeating waffle pattern, yellow slide, yellow stem, yellow crown and grey ball. Slide and stem are both woven in a "V" pattern while crown and ball are constructed of twisted braiding. Mint & nice!