A SECOND WORLD WAR GERMAN Kar 98 MAUSER SEITINGEWEHR S84/98 3RD MODEL BAYONET MANUFACTURED BY DURKOPP WERKE AG, BIELEFELD  IN 1936 AND FITTED WITH A MATCHING NUMBERED SCABBARD AND ITS ORIGINAL LEATHER BAYONET FROG.

 

This Second World War German bayonet was manufactured in 1936 by Durkopp Werke AG, Bielefeld (S/238 code) and is fitted with a matching scabbard also produced in 1936 by Durkopp and its orginal leather bayonet frog. It’s an outstanding example of the 3rd Model Sg84/98 which was originally designed for use with Mauser Gew 98 and Kar 98 rifles.  This pattern of bayonet had been in regular use with the German armed forces since the beginning of the First War and remained in service until the end of the Second with only minor modifications.  Attached to this listing for reference are two outstanding contemporaneous Bundesarchiv photographs.  The first, taken in Russia in the summer of 1943, shows the crew of a 7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 40 (Pak40) engaging enemy armour.  The loader has a K98 attached to his belt.  The second photograph also on the Eastern Front, taken the previous year in 1942, shows a Panzergrenedier taking a smoke break with a K98 bayonet fitted to his rifle.

 

This bayonet and scabbard are stamped with matching manufacturer codes and dates (S/238 - 36) and weapon serial numbers (6245 a) indicating that they were produced by Durkopp Werke AG, Bielefeld in 1936.  The back edge of the blade is stamped with the year of production 36 (for 1936).  The bayonet is in excellent original condition and the scabbard is very good (see pictures).  The steel blade is in excellent condition while the hilt is still fitted with its original excellent hardwood grips (see pictures).

The pommel, flashguard and push button release catch are marked with Heer WaA220 'Waffenampt' or weapon office marks (see pictures). The bayonet retains nearly all of its original blued finish while the scabbard which is in very good used condition displays the front and rear impact marks usually associated with operationally used bayonets that were made by the soldier to prevent the bayonet rattling in its scabbard. The scabbard is also 'Waffenampt’ WaA220 marked while the genuine and original leather bayonet frog is still serviceable, although it is now missing its locking strap. The frog is unmarked.

This is an excellent example of a 3rd Model Sg84/98 bayonet: steel hilt with a round steel press button and internal spring marked with a WaA220 'Waffenampt' marks on the pommel (see pictures), two-piece hardwood grips with rectangular oil hole and steel flashguard, secured by two steel screw bolts, steel crossguard with part muzzle ring and truncated quillon.  Single edged short blued sharpened steel blade with rounded fullers.

Maker: Durkopp Werke AG, Bielefeld (S/238 code) 1936

Overall Length: 385.0 mm

Blade Length:  250.0 mm

Blade Width (at guard):  25.0 mm

Scabbard: Blued steel Durkopp Werke AG, Bielefeld (S/238 code) 1936

Overall Length of Scabbard:  275.0 mm

The markings are clear, with the back edge of the blade dated 36 and the reverse ricasso stamped with the Durkopp Werke AG, Bielefeld S/238 code.  The reverse scabbard face is stamped with the Durkopp Werke AG, Bielefeld S/238 code manufacturers mark and date 36. On the obverse ricasso, and scabbard, the matching weapon numbers 6245 a while the pommel, press button release catch and flashguard are WaA220 'Waffenampt' marked.

From Australia, a genuine and original German Second World War ‘K98’ bayonet in near mint original condition, still fitted with its original leather frog, from the sought after maker Durkopp. The seminal German bayonet of WWII; if like me you prefer the edged weapons in you collection to show evidence of age and use, this bayonet has just the right balance between patina and condition – it’s outstanding.   

 

Note: For Ebay - There are no proscribed or banned symbols anywhere on this item.