Original German WWII Fireman's Long Dress Bayonet by Hermann Schellhorn with Scabbard, Frog & Troddel Knot

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. This also included civic organizations such as Police and Feuerschutzpolizei (Fire Protection Police) units. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with often custom grip plates and black enamel painted scabbards. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, being 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, and others had no latch at all.

This Fireman's Bayonet is in very good condition throughout, and is the 9 3/4-inch blade "long" version. It comes complete with its original black enameled scabbard, black patent leather frog, and even a leather and bullion "troddel" knot. The nickel hilt plating is bright throughout and remains 90% intact, with just some wear and light oxidation in places. It has the typical "S" shape crossguard used on the Fireman issue bayonet. The grip plates are the checkered black Bakelite type, in excellent condition and retained by nickel plated steel rivets with dressed obverse heads, which show little to no oxidation.

The blade is an excellent example, and the nickel plating is close to 100%, with just some runner wear and light scratching keeping it from being perfect. As is correct it has not had any sharpening, though there is a tiny dent on the edge. The original brown leather blade buffer is still present against the crossguard.

The ricasso of the blade is marked with the ricasso with the maker information:

Hermann Schellhorn
Offenbach a. M.

This is the address marking used by Hermann Schellhorn, Feuerwehr-Geräte und Ausrüstungen (Firefighting equipment and devices) of Offenbach am Main. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this firm "was an important supplier of uniforms, helmets, caps, insignia, swords, and sidearms to the fire service and the RLB." In particular, this company's catalog shows their Feuerwehr-Faschinenmesser (fire service bayonets) in two lengths, indicating that the longer length was for regular, while the shorter length was for Fire Chiefs and leaders.

The scabbard is quite nice and still has over 90% of the original black enamel paint, with some thin scratches through the enamel on both sides. There are no dents, and just light wear, and we can see a bit of age crazing in the finish, showing that it has not been refinished. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in very good used condition. The black gloss finish has degraded over time, so it looks a bit "melted" now. All of the stitching looks to be intact, and it fits the scabbard nicely. Wrapped around it is a fireman's troddel knot, with a leather strap with three lines of metal thread, and a gold and carmine red colored end knot, correct for a member of the fire service.

A nice, complete example here with a lovely patina of age, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 2 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 10 3/4"