Original German Pre WWII Heer Short Stag Handle 98k Dress Bayonet by C. Lütters & Co of Solingen with Scabbard and Leather Frog

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 great Heer (army) example is in great condition, and has a nickel plated blade, as all dress bayonets do. It has a very nice alloy hilt, with most of the Nickel Plating intact, showing a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The mortise button and blade release are fully functional, and the felt insert is present. The grip plates are both lovely stag horn, with fantastic grain, and both are in great condition. They are retained by plated nickel alloy rivets dressed on the reverse, which have lost some of their plating.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets, and is more of a 'knife" style with an upper false edge. It is in great condition, aside from runner wear and sharpening, as the scabbard runners are still tight on the blade. It has been sharpened heavily but still presents well. The original black leather blade buffer is in place, and is in very nice condition.

On the ricasso, the blade is marked with the maker’s mark:

C. LÜTTERS & CO.
SOLINGEN

Carl Lütters founded this company in 1840, which was then officially registered with Solingen authorities in 1862. They started out making all manner of edged items and tools, such as pen knives, pocket knives, gardening knives, scissors etc.. By 1922 they had started specializing mostly in pocket knives, and in 1930 started using the Löwenwerk (Lion Works) name. The company mostly made HJ knives during WWII, but also made early SA daggers, per J. Anthony Carter's GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The scabbard is straight throughout with no dents we can see, however the original black enamel paint finish is retained at about 75%, with much of the back side missing paint and now having oxidized. The remaining finish shows the expected crazing and checking from age. The brown leather frog is in very good condition with crazing.

A great example of a German short 98k dress bayonet by a rare maker, complete with lovely staghorn grips and scabbard. Ready to display!

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