Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Luftwaffe long pattern 98k dress bayonet by Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Werk of Solingen, complete with its blued steel scabbard and brown leather dress frog. It features a nickel plated long blade with a single etched remembrance panel for service with the Fliegertruppe, black checkered Bakelite grip plates, functional mortise button, and the distinctive Puma head trademark on the reverse ricasso.

The hilt is constructed from zinc alloy with much of its original nickel plating still present. The finish shows overall bubbling, specking, edge wear, and light oxidation, with some areas worn through to the base metal. The mortise button and bayonet release remain functional, and the red felt insert is still present in the rifle slot, though it shows some accumulated dust. Both black Bakelite grip plates remain in very good condition and are secured by solid nickel alloy rivets with dressed heads on the obverse.

The nickel plated blade remains in very good condition with wear consistent with age and past cleaning. There are scattered small areas of plating loss, including wear from the scabbard runner on raised surfaces, along with light oxidation where the plating has been compromised. The blade retains its factory blunt, unsharpened edge, and the original black leather blade buffer remains in place and is well preserved.

The single etched panel remains clearly visible, though much of the original darkened background has been polished bright. Decorative knot motifs appear at the ends of the panel, with a spread wing eagle on the left and a German steel helmet on the right. The central inscription reads:

Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit

bei der Fliegertruppe

which translates approximately as “In memory of my service with the flying troops.”

The reverse ricasso bears a stamped puma's head above PUMA in a diamond over SOLINGEN, the trademark logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Stahlwarenfabrik / Puma - Werk of Solingen, Germany, the legendary "City of Blades". This company was originally founded on a small scale in 1796, Nathanael Lauterjung officially opened a cutlery and knife making workshop in Solingen during 1855. After his death, the name was changed and registered as "Puma-Werk", to avoid confusion with the other Lauterjung-owned workshops in Solingen. For more information, please see J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The steel scabbard remains straight with no major dents and retains approximately 75% of its original blued finish rather than black enamel. Scattered areas show light surface rust and finish loss. The scabbard is carried in a brown leather dress frog with steel rivets and brown stitching; it is the dress pattern without a securing strap and retains its internal stiffener.

With its long nickel plated blade, single Luftwaffe service etch, functional hilt fittings, red felt insert, Puma-Werk maker mark, blued steel scabbard, and brown leather dress frog, this is a strong example of a Luftwaffe 98k dress bayonet ensemble. The hilt plating wear, blade oxidation and cleaning marks, polished etch background, scabbard finish loss, and light surface rust are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Luftwaffe edged weapon, etched dress bayonet, Puma-Werk, 98k dress bayonet, or advanced German WWII edged weapon 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"

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, either 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.

Enlisted or NCO personnel were permitted to purchase K-98 dress bayonets with fancy etched blades. These etchings run the gamut from simple designs featuring the standard remembrance, "Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit" (In Memory of My Service Time), to very fancy, custom etched depictions, citing the individual's regiment, unit, and sometimes even his name. Many blade factories offered unique etch patterns. The etch work was often state of the art.