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: 5655 / f, E.u.F.Hörster, and 40
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Dark 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 and water stains from contact with the runner, which is wavy spring steel. There is also a bit of damage to the tip of the blade, and the edge has some roughness and scuffing. The pommel retains the finish fairly well, however there is definitely water staining and oxidation on one side, probably from contact with a leather frog over a long period of time. The scabbard finish is still in good condition, showing wear and peppering but no denting, and the top of the scabbard still has the original bluing, having been protected by a frog, which is no longer present.

The front of the scabbard and blade bear matching serial number 5655 / f. 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 1940 under the maker mark, while the spine of the blade is marked 40, 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.

An original early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a desirable maker in very good condition. 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"