Etched Bayonet with Frog – WKC

Product Description:  A highly collectible Etched Bayonet with Frog – WKC, featuring a blade etched on one side with the inscription “Errinerungen an meine Dienstzeit” (“Memories of my time of service”). The blade is in excellent overall condition, retaining its original finish, with crisp engraving and the WKC maker’s mark clearly visible at the ricasso. The handle preserves the majority of its original finish, showing minor areas of chrome loss and wear consistent with age.  The leather washer at the guard remains intact. The release tab is currently fixed in place, with the original felt pad remaining in the attachment slot.

The accompanying scabbard retains most of its original black paint, with some expected losses and surface wear, and is paired with a leather frog that remains intact and pliable, exhibiting minor superficial cracking consistent with period use. No markings are present on the frog. Overall, this Etched Bayonet with Scabbard and Frog – WKC represents a well-preserved example of a finely crafted WKC bayonet, combining historical inscription, original components, and collector appeal.

Historical Description: The bayonet was an important part of the combat equipment of the German soldier in both World Wars. The first pattern of German combat bayonet was the Mauser model 1898 which had a long, slender blade. As a result of experiences in combat use in WWI, it was soon decided to shorten the blades on these weapons. This 1898 pattern bayonet was used early in WWI alongside the 1898/05 and the S84/98 bayonets, which were initially shorter, and stronger, than the unmodified 1898 type. Both of these types were made with and without a saw-backed blade. Due to the challenges faced by German industry and the shortages of raw materials, a variety of “Ersatz” (replacement) types were introduced during WWI. After the war, the S84/98 bayonet became standard issue in the Reichswehr and later, in the Wehrmacht, for troops armed with the K98 rifle (the standard WWII German infantry weapon). The bayonets made for issue with the K98 rifle initially had wooden grips. Later, some bayonets were made with Bakelite grips. The bayonets were worn on the belt by means of a leather frog, of which there were a number of prewar and wartime variations including a short bayonet frog for use with the folding shovel, and a webbing frog for tropical use. In 1942, a new model of bayonet was introduced, knows as the SG42. This was a very modernized bayonet, with a comfortable Bakelite grip, and a relatively short blade that made it ideal for use either as a bayonet or a fighting knife. Within the grip was a removable multi-tool insert with a folding knife/bottle opener, awl and screwdriver. Although the SG42 was proposed as a replacement for the S84/98, few were manufactured. German combat bayonets were made in countless variations and all are very collectible today, with some rare variants being very avidly sought-after.

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