Description
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 a couple minor specks of plate lifting. Pommel is complete with green felt plug in pommel slot. Black bakelite grip plates are perfect with no cracks or chips. Plated blade measuring 25.4 cm in length grades Exc++ showing light surface wear/runner marks, no nicks to cutting edge, no plate lifting, and tip of blade remains intact. 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 Cannstatt. Blade is complete with brown leather buffer pad. Dent-free steel scabbard retains approximately 98% of the original black enamel showing only faint surface wear, no major loss of paint, and tip of scabbard remains intact. Complete with black leather frog that shows age/wear, no markings, with double sewn stitches down both sides of frog. Nice Klaas produced example with SCARCE blade etching.
