Seitengewehr Postschutz - Bayonet for the Postal Security Guard

**Sleepwalker** · 08-24-2021, 09:01 PM

Bayonet for the Postschutz - Postal Security Guard

Hi there,

I would like to introduce you to a complete rare German bayonet in the form of the KS98 for the German Postschutz - Postal Protection Guard.

Postschutz – Wikipedia

Basically, it is a Extra-Seitengewehr - walking out bayonet - , which was acquired and spent on business. This makes it an exception within the German service bayonets.

The manufacturer of this bayonet was mainly P. Weyersberg Solingen, who probably had an exclusive contract with the Reichspost.

These bayonets were identical in construction to comparable walking out bayonets, that is, they consisted of a rather soft handle made of a zinc alloy and a blade made of steel, which was riveted to the handle under the handle scales. Overall, this construction was not particularly robust and unsuitable for conventional military service.
The only difference to the walking out bayonets, besides the manufacturer's logo, was the possession stamp of the Deutsche Reichspost = DRP and an inventory number.

Seitengewehr Postschutz - Bayonet for the Postal Security Guard

For these bayonets there were frogs that were also similar to the walking out frogs.
The difference here, too, was a possession stamp of the Deutsche Reichspost. Often you can also find the location of the Reichspost Directorate. On this frog you can find "Agsb", which stands for the Reichspostdirektion Augsburg, more precisely for the postal security guard of the Reichspostdirektion Augsburg.

There are two slightly different basic models. Maybe a model for the S84 / 98 of the postal security was made. These bags come from a hoard of unworn frogs that I was able to secure in part.

This worn frog only has the DRP stamp.

There was also a uniform knot for the postal guards. The basic color of this was silver-gray with orange threads.

Here are three original pictures wearing this bayonet.

Regards

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-24-2021 09:01 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**AZPhil** · 08-24-2021, 09:27 PM

That is a beautiful example.
Thank you for the tutorial on the subject and the period photo's of it in wear.

Semper Fi
Phil

**Larry C** · 08-25-2021, 03:47 AM

Elusive to history and quite rare to see a complete example of a Postschutz bayonet.
Great example SW

Thankyou also for the added history of this organization.

Regards Larry

**AndyB** · 08-25-2021, 08:42 AM

Excellent piece well documented by SW.Thanks.

**Anderson** · 08-25-2021, 09:34 AM

Interesting SW, the grey felt plug in the mortice slot is a new one for me. Did it come with the bayonet when you acquired it?
Isn't it also true that Postschutz bayonets and other property were marked "RP". There is some debate about whether black painted metal backed dress frogs marked "DRP" are in fact indicating "Deutsche Reichspost" or "Deutsche Reichs Patent". Why would they be patent protected? The idea of the metal back was supposedly that it protected the uniform from chaffing and wear. It's possibly just a coincidence that the initials are the same.
Incidently, I have seen DRP stamped on an Eickhorn Heer officer sword, C.1935.

**Sleepwalker** · 08-25-2021, 04:54 PM

Hi there,

the felt is field gray and was there.

When it comes to the stamps, details are important.
I only know DRP without dots between the letters from the Reichspost. In addition to bayonets, you can also find them on drinking bottles, bread bags, belts, rifles and belt locks.

R.P. for Reichspost I only know from the S84 / 98 of the Reichspost.

These frogs with an ALU back are privately procured frogs. The D.R.P. - there has dots between the letters - stands for Deutsches Reichspatent - German Reich patent.
These have nothing to do with the postal security guard and are also often forged.

Regards

**Billy G** · 08-28-2021, 03:46 AM

I’ve got a full rig Weyersberg Postschutz KS98 with a frog marked to Regensburg. Aways liked these bayonets and wanted to add an Alcoso to the collection too.