Found a K98 bayonet in my garage - Info?

[Facutroche]

Hi,
I live in Italy, i moved to an old house in the countryside and found a bayonet in the garage, in a drawer with very old tools. I found out its a German k98.
Im the same place i also found a german gas mask container. The previous owner of the house used it to keep screws! Probably were here since the war.
Everything It's a little rusty.
On the bayomet " 42 cvl " can be distingued on one side of the blade. A serial number on the other. The scabard has the same numbers. It has 2 very small eagles with something that seems like a "WRA51" or maybe WZA51in the pommel.

Does anybody know what these numbers mean?

I will keep it, but just for curiosity, how much could it be worth ? You can see the condition in which i found it on the pictures. I cleaned it a little to see the numbers.
Should i clean it more? How? I dont want to ruin it or reduce its value.

Thank you

[John G.]

The "cvl" code is for the German solingen maker "W.K.C.", "42' is the year date, "5663 l" is the serial number and "lot" letter (starts with "a", 1-9999, then "b", etc. ....the small eagles and waffampts are inspection marks.... that's the good news.....

The bad news is not only that both are in poor condition, but the bayonet blade has been heavily ground near the tip.... really not anything a serious collector would want. Same for the Gas mask can... in that condition and without it's original straps.... it's nearly worthless. Cleaning them won't help or change anything.... (won't hurt them either).

Since you found them in your new house, I'd keep them as part of the houses history....

You won't retire on these.... sorry.
John G.

[Richie B]

The small markings are Waffenamt (WaA) inspection stamps.

I think the number could be WaA 519 commonly found on bayonets produced in the Solingen area.

[Facutroche]

Thanks for the information!
Yes, i will keep them and will try to find out their story. Perhaps the previous owner of the house knows what happend here during the war or how they ended up here.

[LineDoggie]

You can soak the blade in Kerosene and using bronze wool remove the surface rust. the heavier older rust and pits will remain though.