Original Item: Only One Available. The K-98 dress bayonet was a dress version of the combat style, and was worn by enlisted and NCO personnel for dress and parade occasions. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with stag or bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being nickel-plated short or long version. There was usually a red or green colored felt insert in the rifle slot and the bayonet was suspended from a black or brown leather frog. Some had a functional bayonet latch, while it was ornamental on some.

This very nice example is in good condition, and has a very nice custom etched blade. It has has a nice alloy hilt, with most of the Nickel Plating intact, though there is overall speckling and oxidation, as shown. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional, complete with the red felt insert. The grip plates are both lovely checkered black bakelite, and both are in great condition. They are retained by steel rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse, with light oxidation.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets. It does have slight wear to the plating and oxidation, with some runner wear and light scratching. It has not been sharpened, and still retains its blunt factory edge.

The etched panel itself has lovely scroll designs, with an NSDAP Reichsadler (State Eagle) on the far left, and a German Stahlhelm Helmet on the right, with a tiny Heer Army Eagle on it. In the bottom of the panel is a lovely German black letter type face inscription:

This translates to "For a reminder of my service." This is a common phrase to see on personalized items such as this. There is also GES. GESCH. marked on the etching, indicating that it is a trademarked design. The leather blade buffer is unfortunately missing. There is no maker mark on this blade, but that was not uncommon. Raw blades were often sold to retailers for customization, and were not marked.

The scabbard is quite nice and still has over 95% of the original black enamel paint, with minimal checking and crazing. There are no dents, and just light wear. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in good used condition, though the finish has some cracking and flaking. The leather is soft, though the original stitching is coming apart below the belt loop. The black patent leather finish is a degraded as shown, as it often "melts" over the years due to pressure.

An great example of an Etched German 98k dress bayonet, complete with scabbard and frog, ready to display!