Original Item: Only One Available. In 1935 the German military introduced the K98k bolt action rifle or Karabiner 98 Kurz, as a replacement for the older GEW98 or Gewehr 98. A new, shorter bayonet was designed to go along with the shortened rifle. The K98 bayonet was officially named Seitengewehr 84/98 III or SG 84/98 III. The bayonet was designed as a close combat sidearm that could be placed on the tip of a K98.

The total length of the K98 bayonet was 15.2 inches, far shorter than the 20 inch long GEW98 bayonet. The blade was also straighter in shape and the hand guard was omitted. The K98 bayonet was carried in a leather frog, or Seitengewehrtragetasche, on the left side on the equipment belt in combination with the shovel and its carrier. The maker marks on k98 bayonets where stamped onto the top of the blade. On the reverse the batch number and suffix were stamped.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 2418 / m, E.u.F.Hörster, and 39
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Darl Brown Bakelite

Condition is very good with original bluing on blade, bakelite grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has the factory "sharpening", which did not really make the blade sharp: that was up to the soldier. There is some runner wear to the finish, and also a few spots of finish loss from contact with the runner, which is wavy spring steel. The pommel retains the finish well, though there is definitely some oxidation peppering. The scabbard finish is still in good condition, showing some wear and peppering, and there is a dent on the front side just below the frog, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade.

The front of the scabbard and blade bear matching serial number 2418 / m. This is an early/pre WWII bayonet, so it pre-dates the three letter code system used later. The blade reverse ricasso and rear of the scabbard are maker marked with E.u.F.Hörster, indicating manufacture by the well-known maker E. & F. Hörster of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Eastern Germany. The rear of the scabbard has the date 1939 under the maker mark, while the spine of the blade is marked 39, indicating 1939 manufacture. There are also some early "Stick Eagle" pattern Waffenamt WaA253 markings on the pommel, correct for the 1937-40 period for many Solingen-based makers.

The scabbard is fitted in a very nice wartime pattern leather frog, which has mostly intact stitching and steel rivets. It still retains the original retaining strap with a steel stud, however it definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use, as the leather is definitely worn and stretched in places. The reverse has RBNr. 0/1235/0007 over a date of 43 stamped on, which is a bit hard to read.

An original early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a desirable maker in very good condition. Comes complete with frog and is ready to display or fit to your 98K rifle!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 1 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 10 1/2"