Stag Grip Double Etched Dress Bayonet

Product Description: This Stag Grip Double Etched Dress Bayonet is an extremely nice piece, that would be really hard to upgrade. The original owner spared no expense when selecting this deluxe bayonet. The blade is virtually perfect, with full original luster, and is double etched. The obverse features a Panzer, an Infantry gun and crew, a machine gun team, and the wording “Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit” (To the Memory Of My Service Time). The reverse depicts a German Army eagle and helmet flanking the unit identification “Inf. Rgt. 115, Worms a. Rh.” indicating Infantry Regiment 115. Both of the etchings are extremely crisp and detailed with excellent original darkening. The reverse of the blade is also marked with the scales logo of Alcoso in Solingen. The handle features gleaming plating on the pommel and crossguard, and real stag grip plates. The stag grips are undamaged, with beautiful honey and chocolate brown tones. The leather buffer pad on the blade is present. This stag grip double etched dress bayonet is complete with its original scabbard. The scabbard has a beautiful black anodized finish, which is extremely attractive and very uncommon to see. The scabbard shows only very minor wear and is complete with an original brown leather frog. There are some initials scrawled in pencil on the reverse of the frog, which is otherwise unmarked. This bayonet has so much going for it: two etchings, stag grips, marked for an Infantry unit, anodized scabbard and original frog. And the condition is near mint. This is truly a choice example.

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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