Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive pre WWII private purchase short KS98 style fighting knife bayonet manufactured by Anton Wingen Jr. of Solingen, complete with its original style black enamel scabbard and military pattern leather bayonet frog, or Seitengewehrtasche. In overall form it closely resembles the short approximately 20cm KS98 dress bayonet, but this example is fitted with an unplated carbon steel knife blade with partial fullers and a false edge rather than the more typical bright plated dress blade. The black enamel finished steel hilt, checkered Bakelite grips, strong surviving blade crossgrain, functional bayonet mounting hardware, and complete scabbard and frog give it considerable appeal as an unusual private purchase edged weapon.

The steel bird's head style hilt is finished in black enamel lacquer, approximately 75% of which remains. The finish shows wear through around the pommel and crossguard areas, together with light oxidation consistent with age and handling.

The mortise button and bayonet release mechanism are both present and fully functional. The grip plates are made from closely checkered black Bakelite and remain in very good condition overall. There are several small holes visible on the left grip panel. Both scales are retained by steel rivets with dressed heads.

The blade is particularly interesting. Rather than the nickel plated blade normally associated with a dress bayonet, this example has a carbon steel knife style blade with thin partial fullers and a false edge along the upper portion of the point. Its construction is consistent with the privately purchased small bayonet and combat knife patterns associated with Anton Wingen production.

The blade remains in very good condition and retains strong factory final polish crossgrain on both sides, a finish known in German as Pließten. It is created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit, and is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means. For advanced edged weapon collectors, the survival of this original crossgrain is an especially important feature because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture. The survival of this fine original surface finish is especially desirable to edged weapons collectors because aggressive later polishing or resurfacing can easily diminish or remove it.

There is some older oxidation staining, particularly toward the tip, together with normal runner wear and light scuffing from past cleaning. No major blade condition problems are present. The edge does not show evidence of post manufacture sharpening, and the point remains intact and unbent.

The original leather blade buffer is still present against the black enamel finished crossguard.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the Anton Wingen Jr. double arc maker mark:

A. WINGEN JR
SOLINGEN

Anton Wingen Jun., Stahlwarenfabrik was an established Solingen cutlery and edged weapons manufacturer. The firm was founded in 1888 and formally registered with the Solingen authorities in 1901. It became well known for producing hunting knives, military style sidearms, and combat knives, including patterns privately purchased by military personnel.

Per J. Anthony Carter's definitive reference GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, Anton Wingen produced small bayonets with combat knife blades, checkered grips, and swept back quillons, and Carter specifically notes that such items were privately purchased, often by officers. That description corresponds closely with the construction and configuration of this example and helps distinguish it from a conventional issue 98k service bayonet.

Anton Wingen remained in operation well beyond WWII before finally closing in 1997. Like many Solingen makers, the firm benefited from the city's centuries old reputation as the Klingenstadt, or “City of Blades.”

The steel scabbard remains straight throughout and retains approximately 75% of its original black enamel finish. The lacquer shows extensive age related checking and crazing, along with finish loss around the lower ball and rear surfaces.

Additional areas of paint loss are present on the front of the scabbard, where the exposed steel has developed oxidation. Despite this wear, the body remains structurally sound and presents very well with the knife.

The accompanying leather bayonet frog is of military style construction and retains its early pattern aluminum rivets. The original retaining strap remains present and is fitted with an aluminum stud.

Most of the stitching remains intact, although the area surrounding the retaining strap has suffered considerable deterioration and much of the stitching there has rotted away. The frog should therefore be handled with care, particularly around the securing strap.

For the collector of German private purchase edged weapons, early KS98 variants, or Anton Wingen production, this is a particularly appealing example. The unusual unplated combat style blade, strong surviving Pließten crossgrain, functional bayonet mounting mechanism, black enamel steel hilt, excellent checkered Bakelite grips, complete scabbard, and surviving military style frog all give it considerably more character than a standard dress bayonet. Its configuration also aligns closely with the privately purchased small bayonet and fighting knife types specifically documented by J. Anthony Carter.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 12 1/2“
Crossguard: 2”
Scabbard Length: 10 7/8"