Original German WWII 98k 1942 dated Bayonet by Alcoso-Werk with Scabbard & Frog - Matching Serial 7584 j

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 or SG 84/98. 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. Early production examples such as this one have ribbed bakelite grips. As the war progressed, the specification was changed to wooden grips.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98

Markings: 7584 / j and 42 fnj

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: Ribbed Black Bakelite

Condition is very good with lots of the original bluing on blade, with the 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, but no oxidation or other issues. The bakelite grips show minor wear from service, with no major cracks, chips, or dents. The scabbard does have some spots of light surface rust from use and exposure in the field, but nothing major.

The scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 7584 / j, and the pommel is Waffenamt Eagle / WaA519 marked correct for Alcoso-werk. These are a bit hard to see, as the black finish has gotten stuck on some areas of the pommel on that side. The blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code 42 fnj, indicating 1942 manufacture by the well-known maker Alcoso-Werk of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Eastern Germany. The scabbard bears the same marking on the reverse.

Per J Anthony Carter's Work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik, (Steel Ware Factory), this company was a major manufacturer of edged weapons and tools from the end of the 19th century up until the WWII period. Unfortunately, as NSDAP-control increased, brothers Carl Gustav and Dr. Alexander Coppel, the Jewish owners of the firm, were forced out. In 1936 the firm had been "Aryanized", and started using the name ALCOSO to hide the Jewish family name. By the end of 1936 the brothers were ejected from their Solingen offices, and by 1940 the brand trademark initials ACS were changed to AWS to reflect the change in ownership and name: Alexander Coppel Solingen to Alcoso-Werk Solingen. Carl Gustav Coppel committed suicide in Solingen in 1941, and Dr. Alexander Coppel was arrested in 1942 and sent to Theresienstadt Prison camp, where he died August 5th 1942. The factory itself was destroyed by Allied bombers in November 1944.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original black patent leather finished leather frog, which fits the scabbard nicely. It looks to be the type often used with dress bayonets, with a gloss black finish that has unfortunately cracked and "melted" a bit over the years, showing the impression of the hilt due to contact. The stitching is still intact, as are both rivets.

An original German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and Scabbard by a well-known maker with a somber back story. In great condition and complete with a frog, this set 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"