Original German WWII Documented USGI Bring Back 98k 1944 dated Bayonet by Carl Eickhorn with Re-worked WWI Scabbard and Frog

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 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: 9909 / u and cof / 44
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Brown Bakelite

This is a great example of a 98k bayonet, which comes complete with WWI style scabbard reworked late in the war and a late war style bayonet frog. More importantly, the bayonet is a documented USGI bring back from the European Theater of Operations during WWII! It comes with the original "CERTIFICATE" in a 11 1/8" x 9 1/8" frame, dated 26 SEP 45, which is named to T/Sgt Roy P. Gillis, and indicates that he was authorized to retain the items as his personal property and/or mail them back to the United States. It is signed by Lt. James N. Luton of the 1st Infantry Division HQ company, and has his address stamp on it. The items listed on the certificate are:

(1) German Camera-zies-ikon
(1) German bayonet #9909
(1) German Saber***END

We do not know what happened to the camera and saber, however this bayonet is mentioned by serial number in the documents, something we rarely see! 

This bayonet itself is in near excellent lightly used condition, showing only light wear from age and storage. It is definitely a later war produced example, so the fit and finish are definitely crude compared to ones made earlier in the war. 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 on the sharp edges, but not any other wear, and the bluing is very well retained. The handle shows an area of finish loss and light oxidation on the reverse, but there is no major rust or wear. The scabbard with this bayonet is a re-worked WWI style bayonet, which was serial number matched to the scabbard, probably at the factory when it was reworked. It has a scabbard button that is unfortunately mostly detached from the body, and spins relatively freely.

The blade and scabbard bear matching serial numbers 9909 / u, and the pommel is Waffenamt WaA519 marked. The blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code cof over 41, indicating 1941 manufacture by the legendary maker Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The reverse of the scabbard bears the same markings, so this is a matching set. We checked the Waffenamt office records, and "519" is the correct inspector for Solingen late in the war.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The scabbard is held in a very nice late war pattern black leather frog, which has no retaining strap and painted steel rivets. It is in very good condition, with no tearing and fully intact stitching.

A lovely late war German WWII 98k Bayonet by the most desirable of all Solingen makers, complete with its original USGI Bring Back Certificate! Ready to research and display!

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

Karabiner 98k
The Karabiner 98 kurz, often abbreviated Karabiner 98k, Kar98k or K98k and also sometimes incorrectly referred to as a K98 (a K98 is a Polish carbine and copy of the Kar98a), is a bolt-action rifle chambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge. It was adopted on 21 June 1935 as the standard service rifle by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles.

Although supplemented by semi-automatic and fully automatic rifles during World War II, the Karabiner 98k remained the primary German service rifle until the end of the war in 1945. Millions were captured by the Soviets at the conclusion of World War II and were widely distributed as military aid. The Karabiner 98k therefore continues to appear in conflicts across the world as they are taken out of storage during times of strife.