H027195 K98 COMBAT BAYONET WITH FROG. (Seitengewehr 98K mit Seitengewehrtasche)

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. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. One of the main variations in the tropical equipment was the use of canvas webbing instead of leather for a variety of items including waist belts and bayonet frogs as it was determined the webbing would wear better then the leather in the tropical climate. Eventually these tropical equipment items would be issued to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 25cm long, drop forged, steel construction blade with wide fullers. Blade retains about 98% of it's original blueing. Both sides of the ricasso are well marked with the deeply stamped serial number, "7436", to the obverse and the manufacturer’s date and three letter code to the reverse, "42 cof", indicating manufacture by Carl Eickhorn Waffenfabrik of Solingen in 1942. Non-matching serial numbers on the scabbard (Not uncommon for them to be mixed in the field). Bakelite grip. Stud functions well. Nice condition and comes with an decent original leather frog.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $298.00

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