Original Item: Only One Available. The K-98 dress bayonet was a dress version of the combat style, and was worn by enlisted and NCO personnel for dress and parade occasions. This also included civic organizations such as Police and Feuerschutzpolizei (Fire Protection Police) units. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with often custom grip plates and black enamel painted scabbards. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being nickel-plated short (20cm) or long (25cm) version. There was usually a red or green colored felt insert in the rifle slot and the bayonet was suspended from a black or brown leather frog. Some had a functional bayonet latch, while it was ornamental on some, and others had no latch at all.

This Fireman's Bayonet is in very good condition throughout, and is the 9 3/4-inch blade "long" version. It comes complete with its original black enameled scabbard, black patent leather frog, and even a leather and bullion "troddel" knot. The nickel hilt plating is bright throughout and remains 95% intact, with just some wear and light oxidation in places on the steel hilt. It has the typical "S" shape crossguard used on the Fireman issue bayonet. The grip plates are the checkered black Bakelite type, in excellent condition and retained by nickel plated steel rivets with dressed obverse heads, which show plating loss and oxidation.

The blade is an excellent example, and the nickel plating is close to 100%, with just some runner wear and light scratching keeping it from being perfect. As is correct it has not had any sharpening, though there is a tiny bend on the edge. The original leather blade buffer is now missing, and there is no maker mark on the blade. This is not uncommon, as often knife companies would sell unmarked blade blanks to retailers, who would then mount and plate them.

The scabbard is quite nice and still has over 90% of the original black enamel paint, with some thin scratches through the enamel on both sides. There are no dents, and just light wear, and we can see age crazing and checking in the finish, showing that it has not been refinished. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in very good used condition. The black gloss finish is in great shape, with the stitching is mostly intact, and it fits the scabbard nicely. Wrapped around it is a fireman's troddel knot, with a leather strap with three lines of metal thread, and a silver and carmine red colored end knot, correct for a member of the fire service. The leather strap is torn in places, and the metal stripes show oxidation.

A nice, complete example here with a lovely patina of age, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 2 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 10 3/4"