German, WW2, K98 Bayonet (M1884/98 III), dated 1944 by Alexander Coppel GmbH Solingen, with Scabbard dated 1939 by Ernst Pack & Son, and Frog

*German, WW2, K98 Bayonet (M1884/98 III), dated 1944 by Alexander Coppel GmbH Solingen, with Scabbard dated 1939 by Ernst Pack & Son, and Frog*

Marked on the ricasso "44 fnj" and on the obverse with the serial number "9744". "fnj" is the war time code for Alexander Coppel GmbH, Solingen, 44 indicates the year of manufacture. There are two waffemants discernable on the pommel. The handle has a straight pommel of simplified design, which has a cloverleaf-shaped groove with a split-nut locking knob. The blade is blued and fullered. This is a great example of the knife bayonet used with the 8 mm. Mauser Kar 98k, the Seitengewehr (sidearm) M1884/98 Third Pattern.

Measures approx: 24.8cm blade, 38cm overall.

The K98 bayonet, adopted by the Wehrmacht in 1934 under the Third Reich, evolved from the Model 1884-98 bayonet (2nd type) used in World War I from 1915 onward with the 8mm. Mauser Gewehr 98. Crafted from a single piece, its pommel, tang, and blade are secured by two polished rivets. Its sheet metal flame arrestor, with two waste evacuation holes, fits the cleaning rod perfectly - originally designed during World War I so that the shorter barrel of the Mauser would not damage the top of the pads by burning.  The M1884-1898 also featured a robust bayonet mounting bar, eliminating the need for a muzzle ring and improving accuracy. Known as the K98 or M1884/98 Type III Bayonet had all the features of the type two and had wooden or plastic grips. The  plastic grips found on M1884/98 III bayonets are made of a phenolic resin. Because of a shortage of phenolic resin in Germany during the war, a new type of molding compound containing only 20 to 25 percent resin was adopted in January 1943. Known as type 41, it contained woodflour as a filler.

The scabbard is marked "8089" and on the reverse "1939" and what looks like "E. Pack & S" which represents the manufacturer Ernst Pack & Söhne, Solingen. There is a waffemant discernable on the ball finial of the scabbard.

*Condition*
The blade is in excellent condition with very minor wear. There is some rusting to the tang and pommel. The button works well. The scabbard is uniformly pitted across the surface and has a dent towards the bottom. The frog is in good condition with all rivets present but it is torn from the rivets where it meets the scabbard. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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