$750.00
Condition: Excellent
Maker: E Pack & Söhne, Solingen
In stock
Product Description: A desirable Stag Grip Heer Etched Bayonet with Scabbard and Frog, featuring a blade etched with the inscription “Zur Erinnerung An Meine Dienstzeit” (“In memory of my time in service”). The blade bears a lightly struck maker’s mark at the ricasso for E. Pack & Söhne, Solingen, and retains crisp, well-defined engraving with only a few darker areas within the design. While the blade shows pitting consistent with age, the overall presentation remains strong. The bayonet release button is in proper working order, and the stag grip scales, though exhibiting slight movement, retain their natural character and appeal.
The accompanying scabbard displays areas of rust and paint loss, consistent with field use, while the unmarked leather frog shows color loss and wear but remains intact. Despite these signs of age, the piece presents well as a complete set. Overall, this Stag Grip Heer Etched Bayonet with Scabbard and Frog remains in excellent collectible condition, offering a compelling combination of etched personalization, Solingen manufacture, and classic wartime construction.
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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