Here we have a nice WW2 German K98 bayonet, matching numbers, dated 1942 and made by E. & F. Horster (ASW), complete with its frog. A good honest example throughout.

Blade:

The unsharpened blade is in excellent overall condition, still holding around 95% of its original bluing. One side is marked 42 ASW (1942 – E. & F. Horster), and the other side carries the serial number 5844. The only small point worth mentioning is that the tip isn’t quite as fine as we usually see on some examples.

Hilt & Grips:

The bakelite grips are the darker type and remain in excellent condition, with no cracks or damage, and only the lightest signs of wear. Both screw bolts are present, and the flashguard is free from any indentations. The rifle-retaining button works exactly how it should, and the top of the hilt shows the usual two Waffenamt stamps.

Scabbard:

The scabbard is nice and straight, showing no dents or damage. It shows areas of original bluing remaining, mixed with mostly light surface rust. The lower ball carries a further Waffenamt stamp, and the throat screw is present. The front is stamped with the matching serial number 5844, and the reverse shows 42 ASW. The blade fits the scabbard perfectly, as it should from a matching pair.

Frog:

It comes with a late-war, crude K98 frog, completely original to the period. A very similar example is shown on page 234 of Roy William’s book “A Collector’s Guide to German Bayonet Belt Frogs, 1825-1945.” These late-war frogs were put together quickly using previously-used leather parts, often showing wide, uneven stitching-and this one fits that description well. The small perforated holes around the front also match the reused-leather construction noted in the book. Despite the crude finish, the frog is structurally sound, with all four rivets in place.

Overall:

A good honest 42 ASW matching-number K98 bayonet, that would display very well.

Recommended Reference:

For collectors interested in German bayonet frogs and their construction, I highly recommend Roy William’s “A Collector’s Guide to German Bayonet Belt Frogs 1825-1945”. It’s one of the most detailed works on the subject. An excellent reference for identifying frog types, materials, stitching patterns, and makers.