Original German WWII 98k Bayonet by Clemen & Jung with US Soldier Custom “Sweetheart” Pin-Up Girl Plexiglass Grips and Scabbard - Dated 1937 & 1940

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.

This example had its grips replaced with the “sweetheart” grips which consist of plexiglass grip scales and pictures of their sweetheart on each side. Most commonly encountered on sidearms, Servicemen began to salvage plexiglass from downed aircrafts to replace the grips for their Colt M1911 pistols as well as fighting knives. The transparent quality allowed them to personalize the grips by inserting a picture of a loved one or pin-up girl underneath the plexiglass. The trend became known as “sweetheart grips.” This example however appears to have photos of two different naked “pin-up girls”.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III

Markings: 3338 / b, CLEMEN & JUNG and 37 (on spine)

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: Plexiglass “Sweetheart” Grips

Condition is fair, with much of the original bluing missing from the blade, plexiglass grips intact and a working locking button. The blade has heavy oxidation across with staining.

The blade bears serial number 3338 / b. The pommel is Waffenamt marked and the blade ricasso is also marked by maker CLEMEN & JUNG, a rare edged weapon producer from Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in the mountains of Western Germany. The spine of the blade is marked 37, for 1937, and the scabbard is marked F.W. HÖLLER / 1940 on the reverse. Shortly after this manufacturers made the move to three letter codes, so this is a very nice early war example.

A very interesting captured 98K bayonet with some absolutely tremendous grips.

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