{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-firemans-short-dress-bayonet-by-carl-eickhorn-of-solingen-with-scabbard-and-frog","title":"Original German WWII Fireman's Short Dress Bayonet by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen with Scabbard and Frog","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cem\u003eFeuerschutzpolizei\u003c\/em\u003e (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 a 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 example has none at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Fireman's Bayonet is in very good condition throughout, and is the 7 7\/8-inch blade \"short\" version, which we do not often see. It comes complete with its original black enameled scabbard and black leather frog. The nickel plating on the alloy hit is bright throughout and remains over 90% intact, with just some very minor wear and light oxidation around the bottom edges. 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 oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is an excellent example, and is the \"knife\" style blade we sometimes see on the short dress bayonets. It has an upper 1\/4 length false edge and much thinner fuller than seen on the standard blades. The nickel plating is almost completely retained, with just some runner wear and light scratching keeping it from being perfect. As is correct it has not had any sharpening, though there are a few tiny dents on the edge, and on the tip. The original leather blade buffer is still present against the crossguard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso of the blade is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word \u003cstrong\u003eORIGINAL\u003c\/strong\u003e above and the firm's name and location, \u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn \/ SOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. \u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel scabbard is straight and dent free throughout, and is in very good condition. The original black enamel finish is retained at about 90%, showing just a bit of chipping and wear. We can still see the steel grain through the finish, so there is no evidence it was refinished. The enamel shows a lovely pattern of crazing and checking, which takes years to form. It is held in a very nice black patent leather dress frog, which has had the gloss finish \"melt\" over time, which has caused it to have taken the texture of what it was in contact with. There is some cracking of the leather as well as tearing of the stitching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA nice, complete example here in really great shape, made by the most legendary of all Soligen makers. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 7 5\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edge w\/ Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 12 5\/8“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 7\/8”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 9” + frog\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44995164700741,"sku":"ONAC25SD0154","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD0154__01.jpg?v=1778512600","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-firemans-short-dress-bayonet-by-carl-eickhorn-of-solingen-with-scabbard-and-frog","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}