Original German WWII Mettmann Metropolitan Police Marked Long Dress Bayonet by Carl Eickhorn with Scabbard and Frog - Matching

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic Unit-marked Mettmann Area Metropolitan Police Long Dress "Walking Out" Bayonet by the legendary firm Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. It comes complete with its original nickel fitted black leather scabbard, which is held in a very nice aged black leather frog.

The handle of the bayonet is lovely solid plated nickel or brass alloy, featuring a lovely decorated "Birds Head" pommel without a bayonet slot, and an upswept cross guard decorated with oak leaves. The grip scales are made of beautiful stag horn with an aluminum police insignia firmly attached on one side. These are held with solid aluminum rivets and firmly attached in place, with no wiggle. Both cross guard and eagle’s head are in very good condition, with most all of the original nickel plating still intact, showing only light wear.

As with most police bayonets, there is a unit marking on the reverse guard of the bayonet:

S. Me. II. 237.

This indicates issue to the Metropolitan Schutzpolizei (Protection Police) of the Mettmann area, Second District, Officer 237. The same unit marking is stamped onto the back of the scabbard, which we were not able to photograph.

The bayonet has a lovely approximately 33 cm (12.75 inches) long nickel plated steel blade, which was forged "cut-down" style, with the fuller running to the tip. Blade is nice and bright, of excellent quality, with almost all of the original nickel plating remaining. It shows some runner wear and scratches near the tip, with a very tiny area on the tip where the plating is missing. There is also a bit of scattered light oxidation, particularly near the ricasso. The edge is correctly unsharpened, however the leather blade washer is missing.

The rear ricasso of the blade is stamped with the Carl Eickhorn 1934-35 style double oval trademark logo. It features the trademark squirrel looking to the viewer's left over C.E., surrounded by the first oval. Inside the second oval is CARL EICKHORN above and SOLINGEN below, with stars in between. 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 made of fine black leather, fitted with heavily nickel plated brass alloy, and is in very nice condition. The fittings have a lovely look, showing age from oxidation, and there is denting on the chape fitting, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade. The leather body does not show any bending or tears, and the stitching is intact, however the finish does show finish loss and wear as shown. Attached to the scabbard is a very nice black leather frog, which looks to be the early military style, with aluminum rivets. Shows wear from service, and the lower rivets have had the tops pop off.

This is a wonderful early war Mettmann metropolitan police bayonet by the most legendary of all Solingen makers, complete with scabbard and frog! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 13"
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 17 1/4”
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 14 1/4”