Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a fantastic USGI bring back item, a German 98K bayonet with minor modifications, with a U.S. M3 scabbard that has been heavily decorated with captured German insignia. The only real modification to the 98K bayonet is that a NS-Reichskriegerbund Kyffhäuser e.V veteran's association pin has been inlaid into the grip. It is possible that this modification was done by the original German owner, who may have been a member of the organization.

Condition is very good, with very good original bluing on blade, bakelite grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has the factory "sharpening", which did not really make the blade sharp: that was up to the soldier. Finish on the blade is very good with just the usual runner wear from the scabbard. The bakelite grip scales are in good shape, with no chips, and just some light wear and scratching, and the inlaid insignia. The bluing on the handle is mostly worn away, with some light oxidation.

The pommel is Waffenamt marked and the blade ricasso is also marked by maker J. Sch., short for Jetter & Scheerer of Tuttlingen. This company is much better known by the name Aesculap-Werke AG of Tuttlingen in Württemberg, a company known throughout the world that still exists today as a major maker of surgical instruments. The spine of the blade is marked 39, for 1939 manufacture.

The U.S. M7 Scabbard is the standard type for the 10 inch M1 Garand bayonets, and has been covered on the front side with various German insignia. It has numerous "gull wing" Luftwaffe insignia, used on the rank collar tabs. There are several shoulder board "pips", as well as some Imperial German era Cockades. Towards the bottom there is a Wehrmacht Eagle badge as used on a Sun helmet, as well as a Luftwaffe Eagle. Some of these have been glued to the scabbard, while others have been attached using holes in the scabbard.

A fantastic piece of USGI bring back militaria, ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 1 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 11"

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 5513, J. Sch., and 39 (on spine)
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Black Ribbed Bakelite

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. Early WWII bayonets from some makers also had markings on the spine.