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. 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. Often they would also have a sword knot, or troddle, and the color would indicate the branch or rank.

This very nice example is in good condition, and has a very nice nickel plated blade. It has has a nice alloy hilt, with most of the Nickel Plating intact, though there is some wear, as shown. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional, complete with the red felt insert. The grip plates are both lovely checkered black bakelite, and both are in great condition. They are retained by aluminum rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets. It does have slight wear to the plating and oxidation, with some runner wear and light scratching. It has not been sharpened, and still retains its blunt factory edge. The original leather blade buffer is in place, and is in very nice condition. 

The reverse ricasso is maker marked with a "Crayfish" or "Fresh Water Lobster" mark inside a shield, the maker mark of Peter Daniel Krebs, Waffenfabrikation (Arms Manufacture. This was a relatively well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, this company began trading in 1860, though it did not register until 1899. Krebs is the German word for "Crayfish", and was originally registered as a trademark by August Krebs. The company was run by his relatives and descendants, and survived post war until 1954, when the company was dissolved.

The scabbard is straight throughout and still has over 95% of the original black paint. This really is a great scabbard, with very little age related degradation. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in good condition. Like many black patent leather items from WWII, the finish "melts" over time, as this one had, giving it a cracked and mottled appearance. It is still in good shape, with intact stitching, and the leather is not overly stiff.

Wrapped about the frog is a very nice Non-Commissioned Officer's Troddel knot. This troddel is of leather strapping with a bullion end ball. This is silver bullion with a green top, and is in great shape, with a green insert into the bottom. It is in very good condition, with just a bit of wear.

An great example of an German Short 98k dress bayonet by a well-known maker, complete with frog and troddle knot, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 12 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 8 3/4"