German bayonets, 1933-1945

[Fritz]

German bayonets, ordonnance issue:

From below: almost mint example, complete with frog with aluminium fittings. Matching numbers by manufacturer S/155G, No.3139, with wooden grips, probably dating from 1939. Blade as good as perfect, All orignal blueing. An original set obtained in 1966.

Centre: non matching example with bakelite grips, bayonet is by ddl, 1941 with serial no.7626. Scabbard by clc, 1943, no.C8934, some light storage marks and minor corrosion in places. Blade almost perfect.

Top: A rather battered, non-matching example. Blade has been sharpened at some time, partly reblued. Grips with pronounced wear and dents, also the pommel and hilt, fireguard rather battered. By fnj 1943, serial no.2867 - R. Scabbard in similar condition, but no dents, is earlier pattern by S174/G, serial no.9034 j. The frog hook, which has the earlier decorative double Kerbs, is marked 2404. This discovered at a fleamarket locally - low tempting price.

Futher photos show two parade bayonets, nickel-plated, one long, one short, both without maker marks. They are complete with their correct patent leather frogs, which have suffered from age and bad storage.

The long bayonet is of nickel-plated iron fittings, these with some loss of plating and patina, which has been treated. Scabbard paint has been been partly re-touched.

The short bayonet has zinc fittings and the plating has migrated in places, leaving some greyness. This example still has the red felt wool plug in the fitting slot. Original finish to scabbard.