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Need help identifying K98 Bayonet

Article about: This dress bayonet was given to me by a friend. All I know from researching this forum and other websites, that is is made by F.W. Holler and it is authentic by the clarity of the thermomete

  1. #1
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    Question Need help identifying K98 Bayonet

    This dress bayonet was given to me by a friend. All I know from researching this forum and other websites, that is is made by F.W. Holler and it is authentic by the clarity of the thermometer inside the logo. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
    I cannot find any serial number or any other marking.
    If you folks be kind enough to educate me on this on this example, such as the meanings of the engraving, any significant of the symbols, etc, It would be much appreciated. As far as I know right now is that this item might be just a tourist souvenir sold at some some tourist trap .
    I would also would like to compliment this bayonet with a scabbard and a frog at a later date. If somebody can point me or post a picture for the right matching, it would be super. I am a little bit confused since I found an information at a different website stating that there are two sizes of this kind of bayonets and different colors of frogs .
    Thank you in advance.
    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture Need help identifying K98 Bayonet   Need help identifying K98 Bayonet  

    Need help identifying K98 Bayonet   Need help identifying K98 Bayonet  

    Need help identifying K98 Bayonet   Need help identifying K98 Bayonet  

    Need help identifying K98 Bayonet  

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  3. #2

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    It is an authentic FW Holler KS98 private purchase bayonet and it's in good condition but oddly has no scabbard, fairly unusual for a bayonet in this condition. That's the good news. It is etched with a fairly common Holler remembrance motto, this is Nr ES 102 pattern in the FW Holler catalogue. But I've been studying it for some time and comparing it to an authentic ES 102 etching and in my opinion it is a post war reproduction etching (or less politely, a fake). That is based on studying the detail of the "book ends", the closed wing eagles and inscription. All of which lack the fineness of detail a real Holler etching displays.
    This has the 20cm Carbine blade, a 25cm blade version was also made.

  4. #3
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    WOW!!!!!! Thanks Anderson. I spend almost 2.5 month researching for those information and you did it in few hours. Much respect .
    Few questions:
    1. Are FW Holler company still exist?
    2. What should I look for when I'm looking for a matching scabbard and frog? Is reproduction good enough for display?
    3. Without any further marking on the bayonet, can you tell me circa what year this particular bayonet was produced and the etching was made? I know this question is a long shot but it is always never hurt to ask.
    Thanks again.

    I am a happy camper right now

  5. #4

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    I'm glad you're still smiling, not having any money in it helps no doubt. The bayonet itself will date from mid to late 1930's. The green felt plug in the mortice slot is believed to signify a jaeger regiment, the leather buffer is a recent addition, it may be difficult to find a scabbard in similar condition, with out having to buy another bayonet. But here's a photo of an authentic FW Holler KS98 with the 25cm blade length and scabbard and dress type frog. These scabbards are painted not blued.

    Need help identifying K98 Bayonet

  6. #5

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    Nice one. Jim G.

  7. #6

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    Anderson is correct,etching is post war IMO,still good for display.I had a beautiful double engraved Tiger dress bayonet,but found out a few years later it was not a correct documented etching ,I was shocked.I have to wonder how many of these post war done etched bayonets are in collections today.
    Last edited by Toecutter; 07-04-2020 at 03:59 AM.

  8. #7

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    Quote by Toecutter View Post
    Anderson is correct,etching is post war IMO,still good for display.I had a beautiful double ingraved Tiger dress bayonet,but found out a few years later it was not a correct documented etching ,I was shocked. I have to wonder how many of these post war done etched bayonets are in collections today.
    I think that it's very difficult if not impossible to say how many are now in circulation. Some fakes are known to go back to at least 40-50 years ago. Within the last few years a Hyper-Specialist and I mean a Hyper-Hyper-Specialist found out that he was not immune to being fooled by a postwar etched bayonet on another forum. It took some convincing - but eventually he had to concede that he had been fooled. Best Regards, Fred

  9. #8

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    Thanks Fred!Yeah bought the Tiger for 350.00,a cheap price,should have known better,but being a young collector I didn't ,traded it off,said it was suspect and may not be original,am sure its in a collection somewhere.

  10. #9

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    Yes, etched bayonets and SS regalia, are two areas to avoid if you are a novice collector. It takes time to know what to look for and recognise those red flags.

    I agree Fred, these fake etched KS98 have been around for a long time, though not every one is an old fake. Certainly the 1960's was the start and it seems likely some original Solingen etchers may have been recruited by enterprising dealers to re-create their TR magic. Most likely in the case of some of the rare double etched patterns. The quality of these fakes is much higher than what is more recently seen etched on combat S84/98 bayonets.

  11. #10
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    Thank you for all the replies. Such an educational reading. It give me more enjoyment when browsing on ebay and other war relic websites.
    Talking about fakes, I like to share my own recent experience.
    A couple month ago, I went to a flea market and found a Civil War cavalry sword asking for $160. It looks old, complete with patina, rust and markings. The guy claimed it be authentic. The rust has the same textures as if it is that old. Just the smell is a bit off. And I some sort believed him since I have a friend with some civil war items that belong to his ancestor that fought in the war. His possession are all authentic, proven by original issuance papers and authenticated by two museums and we can follow the linage of possessions. The rusting checks out.
    To make story short, I took some pictures and did some research. There is one letter that give it away as fake but I still don't know what era the fake was made. I went there again 3 weeks later to offer $50 but it was sold at full price.
    Guess what,
    Last week I went to a different flea market, in different town and found a same sword, brand new, shiny and still with the protective grease in a plastic bag. Comparing with the pictures that I took, it come complete with a "nick" that exist on the first rusty sword. To top it up, on the bag, there is a small black sticker that says "Made in China". Asking price, $59.99.

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