Original German WWII Heer Short 98k Stag Handle Dress Bayonet by WKC with Frog and 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. The bayonets were finished with a high-quality nickel plating, with stag or bakelite grip plates and black painted scabbard. The choice of blade length was left to the purchaser, either the 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. Often they would also have a sword knot, or troddel, and the color would indicate the branch or rank.

This lovely example is in very good condition, and has an excellent nickel plated blade. It has a nice alloy hilt, with most of the nickel plating still intact, showing flaking and bubbling closer to the pommel. The mortise button and blade release are present, but seized from corrosion, and it looks like the button broke off and was repaired with glue in the past. There is no felt insert present in the bayonet slot. The grip plates are both lovely stag horn, with fantastic grain, and both are in great condition. They are retained by solid nickel alloy rivets dressed on the reverse, which show just a bit of patination.

The blade on this example is nickel-plated, as were all dress bayonets, and is a "knife" style blade with an upper false edge. It shows just a bit of swirling from cleaning and the plating is still fantastic. It has not been sharpened, and still retains its blunt factory edge, with only a tiny bend on the very tip of the blade present. The original leather blade buffer is in place, and is in very nice condition.

The ricasso is stamped with the trademark "Knight's Helmet" (Ritter-helm) over WKC logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making.

Per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company WKC was formed as it exists today. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The scabbard is straight throughout and still has over 80% of the original black enamel finish. This really is a great scabbard, with very little age related degradation. The body is held by the included black patent leather dress frog, which is in good condition. Like many black patent leather items from WWII, the finish "melts" over time, as this one had, giving it a cracked and mottled appearance. It is still in good shape, with intact stitching, and the leather is not overly stiff. Wrapped around this is a very nice WWII type troddel knot, which has a red stem and blue slider and top to the end ball, indicating the wearer was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Company of the infantry regiment they were attached to.

A great example of a German Short 98k dress bayonet by a well-known maker, complete with frog and troddel knot, ready to display!

Specifications:-
Blade Length: 7 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 12 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 8 3/4"