Description
Long KS/98 Bayonet w/Single-Etched Blade & Retailer/Distributor Mark. No maker. Although unmarked, the etch pattern on this bayonet matches exactly a Robert Klaas example shown on page 250 of German Etched Dress Bayonets 1933-1945 by Wayne H. Techet. Nickel-plated hilt fittings show minor surface wear to pommel, spine, and crossguard, with no lifting or crazing. Pommel is complete with red felt plug present in pommel slot. Black bakelite grip plates are perfect with no cracks or chips. Plated blade measuring 25.2cm in length grades Exc+/Exc++ showing light surface wear/runner marks with a few tiny nicks to cutting edge, but no lifting or speckling. Reverse blade features a 5 ¾” long frosted etch panel with the “potted plant” bookend borders as used by Klaas after 1938, flanking the three-line remembrance of service time inscription, “Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit bei der Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 42 Bad=Cannstatt” in raised gothic letters. The etched panel retains 100% of the background frosting. Reverse ricasso is stamped with the name of the retailer, Joh. Hiller Bad Canstatt and blade is complete with brown leather blade buffer pad. Dent-free steel scabbard retains approximately 98% of the original black enamel showing only faint surface wear with no crazing and no major loss of paint. Nice Klaas produced example with SCARCE blade etch. Exc+/Exc++ (24852) $950.00 HOLD
