Oak leave engraved K98 Bajonet

**Brandenburger** · 05-31-2013, 01:44 AM

hello Collector friends,
Just bought a german K98 Bajonet and like to find out a little about his history. It has 38 stamped on the back of the blade, DURKOPP, 3917g on the Ricasso and 4 WAA 547 stamps on the handel. The WAA on the Parier is different than the other ones. It is cromed and the oak leve engraving is very nice.
Was this engraving done after the war? And who did it?

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-31-2013 01:44 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Larry C** · 05-31-2013, 02:07 AM

Hi BB..welcome to the forum...IMO I would think it was done during the period judging by the background pimpling seen between the oakleaves. Wait for other opinions. Shame there are no grips on this which would increase the value a bit. Regards Larry

**Wagriff** · 05-31-2013, 02:47 AM

I also think that this looks like it has been period engraved. It would have looked excellent with a nice pair of stag grips on it-I wonder if a replacement pair could be located? Is there a sheath?

**Frogprince** · 05-31-2013, 04:59 AM

Dürkopp was a period maker of combat bayonets for the German Army/Wehrmacht, and with a date, serial number and Waffenamt that is where I would put this one. And as originally made it would have been blued with steel pins holding the crossguard in place instead of brass(?) replacements. With the muzzle ring side up instead of facing down. And a matching number scabbard, with Waffenamted to match black Bakelite grips along with a flashguard if my recollection of the date/serial number range for the black grips is correct.

And I’m also thinking that it may just be brightly polished metal instead of plating (which is fairly easy to test). With the engraving not that badly done. But period? Not from what I have seen so far. Regards to all, Fred

**wolfeknives** · 05-31-2013, 06:39 AM

I agree with Fred. It looks like someone used the bayonet as a practise piece for engraving in recent times.

Wolfgang

**Walkwolf** · 05-31-2013, 07:09 AM

...And stripped off the grips and screws to upgrade
some other bayonet.........

**Richie B** · 05-31-2013, 08:13 AM

Not quite what I was expecting when I read the title of the thread - it isn't the usual 1970s British rubbish.

However, would a piece of German military issue equipment be modified this way whilst in service ? - I think not.

Anyone got any thoughts on the star marking on the pommel - seen them before but I don't recall an explanation.

**TrondK** · 05-31-2013, 08:43 AM

I do not get a good feeling of this one. Sorry- hope i am wrong but almost all i have seen are post 45 altered.

It is difficult for me to explain what triggers my alarm here- but it could be some silversmith/ knifeingraver has used old bajonets for practice. And this could explain the star- an ingravers mark.