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: 1513 / a, GEBR.HELLER, and 40
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Dark Brown Bakelite

Condition is very good with about 40% 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. The finish is very well preserved in the fullers and ricasso area, while towards the tip of the blade the finish is mostly worn away, though we do not see any evidence of major use or oxidation. The pommel retains the finish quite well, showing just a bit of wear and peppering from age. The scabbard shows some denting towards the tip, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade, and the finish is mostly worn away except near the throat, where frog was previously, now removed.

The front of the scabbard and blade bear matching serial number 1513 / a. 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 GEBR.HELLER, indicating manufacture by the well-known maker Gebrüder Heller GmbH, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory), located in Marienthal, Germany. The rear of the scabbard has the date 1940 under the maker mark, while the spine of the blade is marked 40, indicating 1940 manufacture. The pommel is stamped with double Waffenamt WaA37 proofs, correct for Heller during the 1939-1940 period, after which they look to have stopped making 98k bayonets. This is the same inspector throughout the war for C.G. Haenel and Sauer & Sohn of Suhl, the nearest major city to Marienthal, where Heller was based. 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.

An original early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet in lovely shape by a highly desirable rare maker, complete with the matching scabbard. 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"