Original German WWII 98k Bayonet by Elite-Diamant with DAK Tropical Painted Scabbard & Web Frog - Dated 1935

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 web), or Seitengewehr Tragetasche, on the left side of the equipment belt in combination with the shovel and its carrier. The maker marks on k98 bayonets were stamped onto the top of the blade. On the reverse the batch number and suffix were stamped.

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 2390 / e and S/185 G
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Wood

Scabbard markings: 3276 / e and 42ddl

Condition is very good with lots of the original bluing on blade, with the wooden 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 there is also some wear, scuffing, and oxidation towards the tip of the blade, looking like it may have been used as a tool, though there is no bending to the blade. The wooden grip scales have a lovely color, and show light wear as expected from service and age.

The blade ricasso is marked with pre-war "Zahlencode" S/185 G, the maker code for the rare maker Elite-Diamant AG, then located in Siegmar-Schönau bei Chemnitz in Eastern Germany. The G indicates that this example was manufactured in 1935. The Elite-Diamant company mainly made bicycles and automobile components before the WWII period, when they started making bayonets in 1934. They made most using their pre-war "Zahlencode" S/185, while others were marked "Elite-Diamant" in script. The letter code "i" was only used for one year, 1941, after which they stopped production of bayonets. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. The pommel is marked with two early "Stick Eagle" Waffenamt Eagles over inspector code W3A2*8.

The scabbard with this bayonet is non-matching, as is often seen during the war. It has been given a lovely DAK dunkelgelb tropical tan paint job, which is still quite well retained, showing some flaking on the back, which has allowed the scabbard to oxidize a bit. The front of the scabbard is marked with serial number 3276 / e, and the rear has maker code 42ddl, indicating 1942 manufacture by Remscheider Hobelmesser-Fabrik, Josua Corts Sohn, located in Remscheid.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original DAK web frog, which fits the scabbard nicely. The tan colored web frog is fully intact, though there is a tiny bit of wear to the stitching around the hole for the scabbard button. The leather reinforcement on the back of the strap button is mostly intact. There are unfortunately no legible markings on the frog, as they were ink stamped and readily wear off.

An lovely original pre war German WWII 98k Bayonet and scabbard by a rare maker, complete with a rare original Tropical DAK web frog. 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"