{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-unit-marked-metropolitan-police-long-dress-bayonet-by-e-f-horster-with-scabbard-frog","title":"Original German WWII Unit Marked Metropolitan Police Long Dress Bayonet by E. \u0026 F. Hörster with Scabbard \u0026 Frog","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent matching Unit Marked Metropolitan Police Long Dress \"Walking Out\" Bayonet by the well known firm E. \u0026amp; F. Hörster of Solingen. It comes complete with its original black leather scabbard and frog. It features a beautiful Stag Handle, with an inlaid aluminum Civic Police emblem. The pommel is a solid decorated \"Birds Head\" without a bayonet slot, and there is a unit marking on the reverse guard of the bayonet:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS. Me. I. 983.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis would probably indicate issue to the \u003cem\u003eSchutzpolizei\u003c\/em\u003e (Protection Police) of one of the cities or large towns in WWII Germany, possibly Magdeburg or Meissen. The same unit marking is stamped onto the back of the scabbard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bayonet has a lovely approximately 33 cm (12.75 inches) long nickel plated steel blade, which was forged \"cut-down\" style, with the fuller running to the tip. Blade is nice and bright, of excellent quality, and still has over 95% of the original nickel plating, with just a bit of oxidation and wear, with a speck missing right on the edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse ricasso of the bayonet is maker marked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE. \u0026amp; F. HÖRSTER \/ SOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while the other side bears the company's trademark downward pointing sword piercing interlocking \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHHS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e initials. \u003cem\u003eE. \u0026amp; F. Hörster \u0026amp; Co Gmbh\u003c\/em\u003e is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. Originally founded in 1850 as \"Friedrich Hörster\" in 1850, the company was renamed to E. \u0026amp; F. Hörster in 1870 at the behest of Friedrich Emil \u0026amp; Fritz Hörster. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by J. Anthony Carter. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather washer is unfortunately not present. The bayonet grip scales are made of stag-horn with an aluminum police insignia firmly inset on one side. These are held between the upswept cross guard decorated with oak leaves, and the stylized eagle’s head pommel. Two aluminum rivets hold the scales in place, and as usually seen thre is a plugged hole above the upper rivet on both sides.. Both cross guard and eagle’s head are well detailed and in very good condition, with almost all of the original nickel plating present.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is made of fine black leather, fitted with nickel plated brass, and is in very good condition. The leather does show age and finish loss, as the black patent leather finish sometimes \"melts\" over the years. It is held in the correct black leather frog with steel rivets, which is in good condition. There is wear and finish loss, but no tears or stitching pulling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonderful early war metropolitan police bayonet with scabbard! Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 13\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged with Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 17 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 1\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 14 1\/2”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39645509550149,"sku":"ONSV21NSH27","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV21NSH27__02.jpg?v=1638502765","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-unit-marked-metropolitan-police-long-dress-bayonet-by-e-f-horster-with-scabbard-frog","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}