Original Items: One-Of-A-Kind. This is a lovely WWII German Commercial Bayonet that had its grips replaced with the “sweetheart” grips, which consist of plexiglass grip scales and pictures of their sweetheart on each side. Most commonly encountered on sidearms, Servicemen began to salvage plexiglass from downed aircrafts to replace the grips for their Colt M1911 pistols as well as fighting knives. The transparent quality allowed them to personalize the grips by inserting a picture of a loved one or pin-up girl underneath the plexiglass. The trend became known as “sweetheart grips.”

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.

However, there were also commercially made bayonets for the civilian market, and they were different in markings and appearance. This is one such example, fitted with "sweetheart" grips, and resting in a military issued scabbard. This is in turn held in a leather bayonet frog, which has been outfitted with captured insignia, much like a "hate belt" from WWI.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III Commercial
Markings(bayonet): W.K.C.
Markings(scabbard): 42 ddl and 6010 / b
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Plexiglass

There was some variation among the "commercial" bayonets made, however this one matches the military pattern exactly, and is just missing the usual inspection markings, as well as a date and letter code. It has the correct crossguard and the correct pommel shape. The flash guard on the spine was removed by the soldier when the sweetheart grips were installed.

Condition of the blade is very good, though it definitely looks to be a later war example based on the fit and finish of the blade, which still shows rough machining marks throughout. The blued finish is well retained, with some oxidation and water staining, also present on the cross guard and grip. The blade is still the original factory "blunt" edge, as it was up to the owner to sharpen the blade.

The ricasso of the bayonet is stamped with the W.K.C. commercial trademarklogo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The scabbard is military issue, marked with serial number 6010 / b, and the back is marked 42 ddl, indicating 1942 production by rare maker Josua Corts Sohn, Remscheider Hobelmesser-Fabrik (Planing Knife Factory in Remscheid). the scabbard is in good shape, with a good amount of the finish present on the exterior, however the throat and runners have been removed, so the blade is not held securely at all by the scabbard.

The attached black leather "hate" frog looks to be from a larger bayonet, possibly a butcher bayonet or possibly some other NSDAP era edged weapon. It has the correct blued steel rivets and white stitching, though one of the rivets by the scabbard loop is missing. It has been outfitted with some lovely captured insignia, which included three Luftwaffe "gull wing" collar tab rank insignia (one missing part of a wing), two medical personnel shoulder board cipher insignia, two square rank "pips" as used on shoulder boards, and one brass tri-color shield badge from an Afrikakorps sun helmet.

A very interesting USGI personalized commercial bayonet with a great scabbard and "hate" frog". Definitely would be a welcome addition to any USGI bring back 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"