An original World War II German S84/98 III K98 bayonet dated 1941 and manufactured by ASW (E. & F. Hörster, Solingen). This is a matching numbers example.

Condition is clearly service-worn and this is not a piece for the collectors chasing mint condition, but it remains an honest wartime bayonet with matching numbers. The sharpening of the blade has been reflected in the price.

Blade

The blade retains a reasonable amount of its original bluing, though it has unfortunately been  sharpened in a heavy-handed manner. This sharpening has left visible scratches running along the blade. The ricasso is stamped with the number 7684. The reverse carries the date 1941 together with the maker mark ASW, the wartime code used by E. & F. Hörster, Solingen.

Hilt & Grips

The hilt is fitted with dark bakelite grip plates which remain in good condition, and are secured with their original screw bolts. The rifle retaining button is functioning correctly, and the pommel carries the usual Waffenamt inspection stamps. The flash guard remains undamaged.

Scabbard

The steel scabbard is structurally sound and retains its original throat screw. The front of the scabbard carries the matching serial number 7684, with 1941 and ASW stamped to the reverse.

There is one noticeable indentation to the rear lower section of the scabbard. Most of the original bluing has been lost and the scabbard now shows surface rust and age-related wear.

Wear marks indicate the scabbard has previously been carried in a frog. The bayonet fits the scabbard correctly and securely as expected from a matching set.

Overall

This is not a mint example and the blade has been poorly sharpened, however, it remains a genuine wartime K98 bayonet with matching numbers, which is always desirable.

The condition has been fully reflected in the price, making it an affordable example for collectors who prefer honest, been-there-and -done-it pieces.

Historical Note

The S84/98 bayonet was the standard bayonet issued with the Karabiner 98k rifle during the Second World War. Produced by a number of manufacturers, these bayonets were carried by German forces throughout the war.

The maker code ASW was used by E. & F. Hörster, Solingen, one of the major producers of German edged weapons during the period.

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