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 1941 by Alcoso-Werk of Solingen. Particularly desirable is the completely matching bayonet and scabbard combination, with both pieces bearing serial number 991 v and the wartime maker code 41 fnj. The bayonet retains substantial original blued finish, its dark brown ribbed Bakelite grip scales, crisp markings, and the correct Eagle / WaA883 inspection stamp.

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 production examples such as this one have ribbed bakelite grips. As the war progressed, the specification was changed to wooden grips.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 991 / v and 41 fnj
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Dark Brown Ribbed Bakelite

The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 991 / v, and the pommel is Waffenamt Eagle / WaA883 marked, the correct Solingen inspector for Alcoso during 1941 only. The blade ricasso and rear of the scabbard are also marked with German three letter code 41 fnj, indicating 1941 manufacture by the well-known maker Alcoso-Werk of Solingen, the legendary Klingenstadt, or "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The scabbard bears the same marking on the reverse.

Per J Anthony Carter's Work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik, (Steel Ware Factory), this company was a major manufacturer of edged weapons and tools from the end of the 19th century up until the WWII period. Unfortunately, as NSDAP-control increased, brothers Carl Gustav and Dr. Alexander Coppel, the Jewish owners of the firm, were forced out. In 1936 the firm had been "Aryanized", and started using the name ALCOSO to hide the Jewish family name. By the end of 1936 the brothers were ejected from their Solingen offices, and by 1940 the brand trademark initials ACS were changed to AWS to reflect the change in ownership and name: Alexander Coppel Solingen to Alcoso-Werk Solingen. Carl Gustav Coppel committed suicide in Solingen in 1941, and Dr. Alexander Coppel was arrested in 1942 and sent to Theresienstadt Prison camp, where he died August 5th 1942. The factory itself was destroyed by Allied bombers in November 1944.

Condition of this set is very good, with the blade and hilt of the bayonet still retaining much of the original finish, and the markings are still crisp. The blade does show some runner wear, particularly near the tip, and retains the bluing at around 75%. It has had the blade partly sharpened towards the middle, while towards the tip it still has the factory "blunt" edge. The hilt retains the bluing at about 90%, with some areas of wear and speckled oxidation. The bakelite grips are in very good condition, showing light wear, and the mortise button works very well. 

The scabbard is in very good condition, straight and dent free, showing no major damage. The blued finish is well retained on the top 1/3, where there was a frog installed for a long period of time, while the lower 2/3 shows finish loss and oxidation, particularly on the front side.

For the German WWII bayonet collector, this is an especially appealing example because the important factory identifiers remain together exactly as one would hope to find them: matching 991 v serial numbers on bayonet and scabbard, matching 41 fnj maker and date markings, the appropriate WaA883 inspection stamp, substantial surviving original bluing, and well preserved ribbed Bakelite grips. Its honest finish wear and partial blade sharpening are fully disclosed, while the matched scabbard significantly strengthens the set's collector appeal. It would fit particularly well in an advanced K98k bayonet, Solingen maker, Alcoso, or German WWII infantry equipment collection.

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