Original German WWII Fireman's Long Dress Sawback Bayonet by E. & F. Hörster with Scabbard and Frog

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 such as this example had no latch at all.

This Fireman's Bayonet is in excellent condition throughout, and is the 9 3/4-inch blade "long" version with a very rare to find sawback style blade. We have only ever had one sawback previously out of all the fireman's bayonets we have had previously, and that was a short bladed version. It comes complete with its original black enameled scabbard, black leather dress frog. The nickel plating on the alloy hilt is bright throughout and remains over 95% 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 some plating loss and 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, and there is just a bit of roughness to the edge. The sawback spine is still quite sharp, with no signs of use, so it should be handled with care. The original brown leather blade buffer is still present against the crossguard.

The ricasso of the blade is stamped by maker E. u. F. HÖRSTER / SOLINGEN in an oval "lozenge" around the company's trademark downward pointing sword piercing interlocking HHS initials. E. & F. Hörster & Co Gmbh, Waffenfabrik (weapons factory), is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

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 lightly used condition. 

A lovely example of a rare "sawback" fireman's dress bayonet by a desirable maker. Complete with scabbard and frog, this bayonet is 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"