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. Early WWII bayonets from some makers also had markings on the spine.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III

Markings: 6902 / e, E. PACK & S. and 40 (on spine)

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: Ribbed Black Bakelite

Condition of the bayonet is very good, with most of the 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 near the tip, as well as a bit of a bend at the very end, but otherwise it's still in great shape, still retaining some of the original protectant dried on the surface. The bakelite grip scales are in very good shape, with no chips, and just some light service wear. The bluing on the handle is worn on the edges from cleaning, with a bit of dried grease in areas. and the scabbard is similar, showing most of the original finish, with just a bit of rust speckling in a few areas.

The scabbard and blade bear the matching serial number 6902 / e. The pommel is stamped with double Waffenamt WaA523 proofs, correct for Solingen during the pre-war period. The blade ricasso is also marked by maker E. PACK & S. (Ernst Pack & Söhne), a rare edged weapon producer from Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in the mountains of Western Germany. The spine of the blade is marked 40, for 1940, and the scabbard is marked E. PACK & S. / 1940 on the reverse. Shortly after this manufacturers made the move to three letter codes, so this is a very nice matched early war example. For more information please see Watts & White, The Bayonet Book, page 193, item 296.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original leather frog in the "mounted" configuration with a retaining strap, which fits the scabbard nicely. The frog does show age, with the leather having a worn look, and some cracking. It features 4 intact aluminum rivets, at some point someone stamped "F W HOLLER" on the back, which doesn't make any sense since the company did not make leather goods.

An original early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet in great shape by a highly desirable rare maker, complete and scabbard and frog. 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"