K98 bayonet identification

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DavidH1
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Joined: 15 Dec 2011, 04:43

K98 bayonet identification

#1

Post by DavidH1 » 16 Dec 2011, 08:38

G'day all. I do not specialise in edged weapons but I purchased a K98 bayonet last week and would love to know a little more about it if possible?
The bayonet has many waffen-amt stamps but no makers, marks, codes or stamps on the blade or scabbard (there is however, one waffen-amt stamp on the tip of the scabbard). There is a serial number stamped onto the handle but not in a place I have seen before on typical German k98 bayonets. I am wondering if anyone can shed some light on the serial number or it's positioning and if this bayonet is the real deal or a post-war re-worked example?
I have attached some pictures...... hopefully.

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John Jury
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#2

Post by John Jury » 16 Dec 2011, 14:31

I think this is an export model,as it is devoid of markings on the blade and has that serial No on the pommel.


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John G.
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#3

Post by John G. » 16 Dec 2011, 14:45

A good clear picture of the markings (numbers) would help.....probably just a reworked bayonet....Yugo. or Russian done IMO. Export bayonets wouldn't be numbered on the pommel, and they'd have makers marks and dates (no reason to remove them from the export version)...
John G.

scruffy
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#4

Post by scruffy » 17 Dec 2011, 22:40

that is an ODD ONE
its has the proper ' very early ' wafenampts ,..
but no makers logo , is there a date along the spine of the blade ?
it must be a special issue type ,,
not a commercial, unless it was re-numberd,

maybe its an early military police issue ?

AndyB
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#5

Post by AndyB » 19 Dec 2011, 09:06

Portugal M937 contract, looks like nice piece.

DavidH1
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#6

Post by DavidH1 » 20 Dec 2011, 06:38

Thankyou all for your replies.
I have added some more photos but it seems that this bayonet has been identified.
Thankyou all again.
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Frederick Prinz
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#7

Post by Frederick Prinz » 23 Dec 2011, 00:27

While normally outside contract items won't have German Army inspector's stamps (Waffenamts) on them, there can be exceptions. With my recollection being that for both the early and later contracted items the Portuguese insisted that they have the same inspections as those for the German Army. FP

DavidH1
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#8

Post by DavidH1 » 23 Dec 2011, 00:40

Thankyou FP for the extra information.

optimus princeps
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#9

Post by optimus princeps » 30 Jan 2012, 14:59

Hi, I am a newbie to K98 bayonets and read this thread with interest. One thing I would appreciate information on about this bayonet is why one set of waffenamt markings has eagles with straight wings, while the eagle on the other mark has sloping wings. From what very little I know about these marks, I thought that the different style of wings indicated a different date of inspection? :?

TIA for any information on this.

Optimus princeps

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Frederick Prinz
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#10

Post by Frederick Prinz » 17 Feb 2012, 23:57

optimus princeps wrote:Hi, I am a newbie to K98 bayonets and read this thread with interest. One thing I would appreciate information on about this bayonet is why one set of waffenamt markings has eagles with straight wings, while the eagle on the other mark has sloping wings. From what very little I know about these marks, I thought that the different style of wings indicated a different date of inspection? :?

TIA for any information on this.

Optimus princeps
Over time, the stamps applied by or at the direction of the Heereswaffenamt (HWaA) evolved. With some of the first bayonets having stamps in locations not seen with later bayonets, and some of them not even being eagles. That said, there is an an early abbreviated eagle, the larger 'drooping' wing, the straight wing, and an abbreviated form of the straight wing. So while the basic style of of the stamp can provide a clue as to an approximate time period of when a bayonet was made. It can also be a variable as not all of the makers were in lockstep with one another. FP

optimus princeps
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Re: K98 bayonet identification

#11

Post by optimus princeps » 06 Mar 2012, 07:12

Sorry for the delay in replying, and thanks for the information

Optimus

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