Original Item: Only One Available. 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.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 3545 / f, E.u.F.Hörster, 39
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Brown Bakelite

Condition is very good with 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. There is some runner wear to the finish, and also areas of past oxidation near the tip on both sides, probably from water running down the scabbard. The pommel shows a very nice worn blued finish, with no major oxidation. The scabbard has the finish in very good shape, however it has some large shallow dents on both sides, which do not interfere with sheathing the blade.

This is an early/pre WWII bayonet, so it pre-dates the three letter code system used later. The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 3545 / f. The blade reverse ricasso is maker marked with E.u.F.Hörster, indicating manufacture by the well-known maker E. & F. Hörster of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Eastern Germany. The spine of the blade is marked 39, indicating the year of manufacture. The scabbard has the same maker mark and date on the reverse side. There are also some early "Stick Eagle" pattern Waffenamt WaA253 markings on the pommel.

The scabbard is fitted in a very nice early pattern leather frog, which has mostly intact stitching and aluminum rivets. It looks to originally have had a securing strap, however it is now missing, with the stitching in the middle of the frog torn out. The leather shows wear and staining, but is still strong and supple.

An original early war German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a desirable maker in very good condition. Comes complete with frog and is ready to display or fit to your 98K rifle!

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