A very appealing and well-preserved WW2 K98 combat bayonet with Solingen WaA519 inspection marks, an unusual H-series crossguard serial and a desirable untouched blade. An interesting variation on the standard S84/98 pattern.
A very attractive original WW2 German S84/98 III combat bayonet for the Karabiner 98k rifle, retaining its steel scabbard and much of its original finish. This is a late-war Solingen-produced example with Waffenamt inspection marks and an unusually placed serial number on the crossguard rather than the blade ricasso, adding further research interest.
The bayonet retains its original blued finish to the blade and fittings, with the blade remaining in particularly fine untouched condition. The single fuller blade is bright with excellent edge profile and no evidence of field sharpening. The wooden grips remain tight with good colour and wear consistent with age. The pommel carries two Waffenamt inspection stamps, read as WaA519, and the crossguard is stamped H15591. The steel scabbard is serialled separately H21 to the frog stud and also bears Waffenamt acceptance marks to the reverse of the filial. The pairings indicates a wartime field or depot replacement which are extremely common, as bayonets and scabbards were frequently mixed during wartime service, repair programmes and post-war storage.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 25 cm. Overall length: 38.5 cm.
History Note: The S84/98 III was the standard bayonet of the German Wehrmacht throughout the Second World War and was designed for use with the Karabiner 98k rifle. Manufactured in huge quantities, these bayonets evolved through several production changes intended to simplify manufacture and reduce costs as the war progressed.
The WaA519 Waffenamt acceptance code is associated with Solingen inspection offices and is encountered on bayonets produced by several major Solingen makers during the mid-to-late war period, including firms such as Hörster, Eickhorn and WKC. The acceptance stamps place it firmly within this Solingen production system.
The H15591 serial arrangement is particularly interesting. Standard Wehrmacht bayonets commonly had their serials applied to the blade ricasso, but examples with numbers applied to the crossguard are known. This has sometimes been linked to police, government authority contracts, export deliveries or depot refurbishment and reissue practices.
*Condition* Very good overall condition. The blade remains particularly strong with much original finish present and no obvious sharpening. Light age wear and scattered handling marks throughout. Surface patination and wear to metal components entirely consistent with service age. The scabbard shows honest finish wear and age-related marks. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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