pre war K98 bayonet hatched flash guard

**rrickoshae** · 07-29-2019, 04:38 PM

please see the attached photos of a 1938 K98 bayonet. The flash guard is hatched which I never seen before, is it just something that Berg&Co did or was it more widespread? any thoughts?

many thanks, dave

The scabbard is dated 1916 so is either a mismatch or perhaps recycled from an earlier time.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 07-29-2019 04:38 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**sb98** · 07-31-2019, 03:58 PM

Hi - This bayonet was re-furbished and used post-war by the East Germans I believe.

**rrickoshae** · 07-31-2019, 04:49 PM

thats very interesting, and presumably explains why there are so many 'mint' K98s about. Many thanks for the information, much appreciated.

Dave

**Anderson** · 08-01-2019, 02:42 AM

Yes, it's the DDR (East German) post war refurbished bayonet. The "waffle" flashguard is a feature of these and it may also have an alloy rivet in the scabbard throat. Many of these DDR bayonets appear almost unused. But it is interesting your one has the red Bakelite grips which appeared post 1943, yet the bayonet is made in 1938. Many of the DDR bayonets got new wood grips when refurbished.
By coincidence I too have a Berg & Co example as well.

**rrickoshae** · 08-01-2019, 08:13 AM

yes indeed, my scabbard also has the alloy rivet as you mention. Very interesting background, thank you very much and it does explain why one sees so many almost mint K98s about. Thank you

Dave

**AndyB** · 08-02-2019, 09:22 AM

A WW1 period scabbard is untypical even for GDR refurbishment, as mentioned the piece is reblued, new later grips were added. b.r.Andy

**rrickoshae** · 08-02-2019, 03:44 PM

yes, I think in view of what has already been said that its probably a mismatch put together in more recent times

**Anderson** · 08-03-2019, 01:27 AM

If the scabbard has the alloy rivet, the match was made by the DDR authorities post WW2 (late 1940's/50s) during the refurbishment of the bayonet. I'm not aware of any other situation where the alloy rivet was used. That means it is correct as a DDR bayonet, but somewhat unusual as the scabbard is WW1 era (some continued in use into WW2). I have seen DDR bayonets with the red bakelite grips before so again, I believe its an acceptable variation of the type. I don't think it's be altered since the DDR era.

**AZPhil** · 08-03-2019, 01:32 AM

This is my first time seeing the "Waffle" pattern on a K98 bayo. Thank you Anderson for the very informative replies.
That would be interesting to add one to the collection though.

Semper Fi
Phil