Original German WWII French 98k 1942 Bayonet by Châtellerault with Letter of Provenance, Scabbard, and Frog - Matching Serial 252 l

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 or SG 84/98. 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. Early production examples had ribbed bakelite grips, however as the war progressed, the specification was changed to wooden grips.

This example definitely has led an interesting life, and came to us with a small letter of provenance, which reads:

     I, Paul A. Hout, ex=gunner's mate 1st class, USN, have this date, November 9, 1977, one Mauser 98 bayonet #252 with scabbard that I removed from a German seaman when his U=boat 901 (or 911) was foundering from gunfire of the USS Hovey, DD303 in the fall of 1942 or the early winter of 1943. I hereby give this relic to One J. Lawrence of 155 Miles Ave, Staten Island, NY 10308 free and without incumberences, and will follow with a notarized document if Mr. Devereax so whishes.
Paul A. Haut
Paul A. Haut

It has a stamp on the lower right giving Hout's address in Appomattox, Va. The document definitely matches the bayonet, however given that it was written 35 years after the event, it's very possible that the details may have been mis-remembered. We did not receive any notarized document with the bayonet, and also do not know who Mr. Devereax is in reference to the bayonet. It does however look like it is a USGI bring back, picked up at sea, and definitely has some fantastic research potential.

Aside from that, it also is a very interesting example of a 98K bayonet as well:

Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98

Markings: 252 / l, jwh, and 42

Material: Blued steel

Grip material: Dark brown bakelite.

This is a matching set, with both the scabbard and blade bear matching serial numbers 252 / l, with the blade ricasso bearing three letter code jwh, and a 42 date stamped on the spine, in the early war style. The rear of the scabbard is also stamped jwh / 42, as is correct. That makes this set unlike just about every other 98K bayonet we have had, as these were made on in Germany, but FRANCE!

"jwh" is the three letter code for Manufacture National [Staatlich Waffenfabrik] Châtellerault, known prior to the German capture of France as Manufacture d'Armes de Châtellerault. This factory had been first created in 1819 just after the Napoleonic Wars, and was responsible for a major portion of French government arms production for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The pommel is stamped with Waffenamt Eagle / WaA251, only seen on items from France and Spain that were taken into German service. This is only the second time that we have had one of these, and they seem to be quite rare!

Condition of this set is very good, showing some lovely wear from service, but no major damage or signs of abuse. The blade still retains a good amount of the original bluing, and still has the factory "sharpening", which did not really make the blade sharp: that was up to the soldier. It does show wear to the finish from the scabbard runners on the front 3 inches of the blade, which is quite common. The dark brown bakelite grips show minor wear from service, with no major cracks, chips, or dents. The handle shows wear to the finish, with a few small dents, and the locking button is fully functional.

The scabbard is in good shape, showing just a bit of denting near the lower ball. The original finish has however worn almost completely away, and it now displays a mottled oxidized patina. There is however still some of the original finish preserved near the bayonet frog stud.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original leather frog, which fits the scabbard nicely. It does show a good amount of wear to the original black finish, and the leather is definitely a bit delicate, though still relatively soft. It is an early pattern frog, and has a faint maker marking on the back, of which the 1938 date is all that is still completely legible. It has an intact securing strap, and the securing stud and rivets are all aluminum. The stitching is mostly intact, and it has a great service used look.

An original German WWII Matching 98k Bayonet and scabbard, made in Occupied France during 1942 and offered complete with a frog and very nice provenance. 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"