Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a WWII Luftwaffe Short Dress 98k Bayonet, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm Carl Eickhorn between 1935 and 1941. The K98k dress bayonet was a dress version of the Combat style, and was worn by enlisted and NCO personnel. The bayonet was finished with a high-quality nickel plating, black checkered Bakelite or genuine stag grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being nickel-plated short or long 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.

Enlisted or NCO personnel were permitted to purchase K-98 dress bayonets with fancy etched blades. These etchings run the gamut from simple designs featuring the standard remembrance, "Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit" (In Memory of My Service Time), to very fancy, custom etched depictions, citing the individual's regiment, unit, and sometimes even his name. Many blade factories offered unique etch patterns. The etch work was often state of the art.

This excellent condition German Etched Dress Bayonet by Paul Seilheimer is the "long" version, and measures approximately 14 1/2", with a 9 3/4" nickel-plated steel blade. The blade is magnetic, with standard unsharpened edges, and remains bright and crisp. It is fully etched on the observe side, with Fur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit (In Memory of my Service Period) in Black Letter type on a banner in the middle of the blade. It is flanked by an Air Force (Luftwaffe) "droop tail" eagle insignia on the right and an NSDAP Reichsadler on the left. The blade has full length narrow fullers on both sides, and is in excellent condition, with just a bit of runner wear.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the Paul Seilheimer trademark logo with a "sword piercing a triangle":

Paul Seilheimer, Waffenfabrik was located in the Solingen - Wald area, and was founded in 1917. The "Sword Piercing a Triangle" mark was specifically used on "walking out" bayonets and dress swords during the WWII Period, per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. The company continued operation until 1970, though members of the family are still involved in Solingen industry to this day. The original leather blade buffer is still present in the cross guard.

The bayonet has has a nice alloy hilt, with most of the Nickel Plating intact, though there is overall light speckling and oxidation, 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 excellent condition. They are retained by steel rivets which have dressed heads on the obverse, with light oxidation.

The black enameled steel scabbard is in very good shape, with just some some crazing and checking, with very little wear at all to the finish at all. There are no dents or other issues we can see. Just a great scabbard.

An excellent example of a Luftwaffe Dress bayonet by a rare solingen maker, complete with scabbard. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 14 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 10 1/2"