Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer long pattern 98k dress bayonet by WKC Waffenfabrik of Solingen, complete with its original scabbard and black patent leather dress frog. The nickel plated blade is particularly interesting for its period hand engraved owner and unit inscription naming U. Feldwebel Pokorra of 1. Kompanie, M.G. Batl. 1, with Dortmund / Euskirchen also included in the inscription. The bayonet remains in very good overall condition with extensive original nickel plating, intact black Bakelite grip plates, an unsharpened factory edge, and a clearly stamped WKC Knight's Helmet trademark.

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. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with stag or bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being the 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. Often they would also have a sword knot, or troddle, and the color would indicate the branch or rank..

The right side of the blade is hand engraved:

U. Feldwebel Pokorra, 1. Kompanie M.G. Batl. 1 Dortmund / Euskirchen

The inscription appears to have been applied by hand with an electro engraving tool or similar device rather than as a factory etched dedication. It gives the bayonet a particularly personal character and provides a potential avenue for further research into the original owner and unit.

The alloy hilt retains much of its original nickel plating. There is finish wear in several areas, particularly around the mortise button and bayonet release. Pinprick corrosion and areas of bubbling are visible beneath portions of the plating, with wear through along some of the projecting edges.

The mortise button and blade release are presently seized, apparently from corrosion. The colored felt insert normally found within the rifle mortise is no longer present.

Both grip plates are checkered black Bakelite and remain in very good condition. They are secured by nickel finished rivets with dressed heads on the obverse side.

The long nickel plated blade has an unusual knife style profile with a false edge along the upper spine terminating at a bevel, together with a narrow fuller positioned close to the spine. This blade form is more commonly encountered on some shorter dress bayonets, making its presence on this long pattern example an interesting construction detail.

The blade remains correctly unsharpened with its blunt factory edge intact. The nickel plating is almost completely retained, with only a few localized spots of oxidation visible.

The ricasso bears the distinctive "Knight's Helmet" (Ritter-helm) trademark over:

WKC

for Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. WKC was one of Solingen's long established edged weapon manufacturers and produced a wide variety of military swords, daggers, and bayonets.

Per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD 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 steel scabbard remains straight with no dents noted. Its original black enamel finish has deteriorated with age and now shows widespread checking and crazing. There are areas where the finish has flaked away, together with a section of raised surface oxidation on the front of the scabbard.

The accompanying leather frog is the dress type and originally had a high gloss black patent finish. That finish has substantially deteriorated with age and now has a softened, irregular appearance. The frog retains its steel rivets, though the stitching around the scabbard slot is almost completely deteriorated and no longer provides its original structural support.

Overall condition is very good for the bayonet itself, with extensive surviving nickel plating, excellent Bakelite grip plates, a nearly fully plated and unsharpened blade, and a clear WKC maker trademark. The hilt shows localized corrosion and plating loss, the release mechanism is seized, and the felt insert is missing. The scabbard exhibits significant finish deterioration and localized oxidation, while the dress frog shows substantial degradation to both its patent finish and stitching.

With its named and unit engraved blade, WKC Knight's Helmet trademark, long dress configuration, original scabbard, and accompanying patent leather frog, this is a particularly interesting Heer dress bayonet with considerably more individual character than an unnamed example. It would fit especially well in a German WWII edged weapon, Heer dress equipment, WKC, named militaria, or bayonet collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 14 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 10 1/2"