Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original German WWII Seitengewehr 84/98 III bayonet for the Karabiner 98k rifle, manufactured in 1938 by the well known Solingen firm E. & F. Hörster. The bayonet is serial numbered 2736 v and retains approximately 75% of its original blade bluing, along with its original dark brown Bakelite grip scales and functional pommel release button. It is accompanied by an original but non matching 1942 scabbard manufactured by Carl Eickhorn.

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: 2736 v, E.u.F.Hörster, and 38
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Dark Brown Bakelite

The front of the blade bears serial number 2736 / v. This is an early/pre WWII bayonet, so it pre-dates the three letter code system used later. The blade reverse ricasso is maker marked with E.u.F.Hörster, indicating manufacture by the well-known maker E. & F. Hörster of Solingen, the legendary Klingenstadt, or "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The spine of the blade is marked 38, indicating 1938 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 non matching, marked on the front with serial number 4556, and marked on the back with 42 cof, denoting 1942 manufacture by Carl Eickorn, also of Solingen.

Condition of the bayonet is very good with original bluing on blade at roughly 75%, and it retains 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 we can see some water staining on the edge of the fuller as well. The tip area shows additional staining, and is missing most of the finish. There is also a bend about 1/2" from the tip. The hilt finish has worn away to a peppery patina, and the dark brown bakelite grip scales are in very good condition, with some small chips missing from the right side. The bayonet mortise button is fully functional.

The scabbard has the original bluing retained at about 40%, mostly at the top where there was originally a bayonet frog to protect it. Below this the surface shows finish loss and oxidation, particularly on the front, and there is a bend to the scabbard and a large dent on the back, though this does not interfere with sheathing the blade.

For the German WWII bayonet collector, this is an appealing early war example from one of Solingen's better known edged weapons manufacturers. The combination of the clearly marked E.u.F.Hörster ricasso, 1938 spine date, serial 2736 v, surviving WaA253 inspection marks, approximately 75% original blade bluing, and original dark brown Bakelite grips gives the bayonet strong collector interest. The unmatched 1942 cof Carl Eickhorn scabbard adds an additional wartime maker connection while remaining clearly disclosed as non matching.

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