A Few of My Nicer Bayonets...

[pzjgr]

So, as I have been sorting through my pile of bayonets for the first time in a good while, and culling some here and there, it reminded me that I had soe, what I consider, some really nice ones in the pile, and I have never really posted any of them, so I thought I'd start a thread and do so. These will be some of my favorites in the pile...

First up, is a 44 fnj...this one is pretty, and pretty near mint, or at least very good. Unsharpened, un-messed with. Its an "m" block, and the "m" suffix is stamped on the "wrong" side. Scabbard is matching, but the frog is stiff, and I don't want to risk damaging it by trying to get it off, so I left it one. Scabbard and frog are both darned near mint too.

I really like the very distinct change in direction of the grind on the blade! Scales are very red in hue. Frog is weird, literally the only mark on it is the "42" on the back...One of my favorites for sure...

 

[pzjgr]

2nd up, another 44...a 44 crs. Not quite as nice as the fnj, but almost. A bit more "rash" on the exposed parts (which I am not touching!) and a little more runner wear on the blade. Frog is the "SS" style, RB nr...its got a bit of a tear at the top of the stud hole, so I am not attempting to take it off, but scabbard does match (a bit hard to see in the pic, but it does). Blade finishing is a bit nicer than the fnj too, grind marks are quite a bit less obvious...

I have more I will post as I get the pics done and prepped...

 

[joryfreeburg]

Very nice blades……

 

[AndyB]

44fnj m range is very nice piece. the frog looks like LW type, wout visible code marking, only 42 date probably. From scabbard untouched it doesnt looks like the bayonet was ever used.
The 44crs is very crude mashining for g range, which is interesting, should be compared with similar range pieces, the frog is normal combined with entrenching tool complet, i dont believe this is a SS speciality.

 

[grimlin13]

Couple of fine bayonets. There have been several 44 fnj bayonets posted in the past few months, most of which are in similar condition. Except for the grip screws being messed with, yours may be in the top condition of them all.
Here`s mine

Another 44fnj n block

There must have been a box of these picked up or several GIs grabbed one for a souvenir. There are several posted on the forum. I bought this one a few weeks ago. It`s in great condition. It has one flaw on the scabbard. It appears that what ever happened, it happened after the serial number was...

www.k98kforum.com

 

[pzjgr]

44fnj m range is very nice piece. the frog looks like LW type, wout visible code marking, only 42 date probably. From scabbard untouched it doesnt looks like the bayonet was ever used.
The 44crs is very crude mashining for g range, which is interesting, should be compared with similar range pieces, the frog is normal combined with entrenching tool complet, i dont believe this is a SS speciality.

No, the frog is definitely not SS specific, but that is what the type was always called back in the day...don't know what the current nomenclature for these are, cut down frog, skeletonized frog?

 

[AndyB]

There is exact name for this frog by germans, which is very long designation, by US collectors is called M42.
"Tragetasche für Seitengewehr kombiniert mit zusammenklappbaren Schanzzeug."

 

[pzjgr]

These next two are kind of neat bookends to the above two...a 43 fnj and 43 crs...

First the fnj...

"w" block, has wood scales, blade has same distinct abrupt change in grind direction at the same spot, but machining not as rough. A little more rash and runner wear on the blade, finish doesn't appear as drk as the 44. Another late, RB numbered frog...

 

[pzjgr]

And the 43 crs...A bit of runner wear on blade, otherwise pretty nice condition, "a" block, so pretty early 43 production. Scabbard is damned near perfect, and another M42 type frog, RB numbered, with cross strap cut off...

 

[pzjgr]

There is exact name for this frog by germans, which is very long designation, by US collectors is called M42.
"Tragetasche für Seitengewehr kombiniert mit zusammenklappbaren Schanzzeug."

How German..."Bayonet frog to be combined with shovel carrier", I'm surprised they didn't mash it all up in one gigantic word...like Schweremaschinengewhershutzen'

Thanks for the info, I'll stick with the M42 frog thing!

 

[AndyB]

43fnj was reported 2002 by a BCN member probably. Looks like nice piece, scabbard could be reblued in time. The other 43crs looks too very well preserved.

 

[CanadianAR]

All beauties.

 

[grimlin13]

Thanks for taking the time to post your favorites. Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[luftpirate]

Very Nice Collection. Yes lots of 44 FNJs showing up this year.

 

[luftpirate]

Couple of fine bayonets. There have been several 44 fnj bayonets posted in the past few months, most of which are in similar condition. Except for the grip screws being messed with, yours may be in the top condition of them all.
Here`s mine

Another 44fnj n block

There must have been a box of these picked up or several GIs grabbed one for a souvenir. There are several posted on the forum. I bought this one a few weeks ago. It`s in great condition. It has one flaw on the scabbard. It appears that what ever happened, it happened after the serial number was...

www.k98kforum.com

I dont see any issues with OPs 44 FNJ Grip screws. Fresh late war screws will show slight bur from the slot cut. This is different than screwdriver damage.

 

[grimlin13]

I dont see any issues with OPs 44 FNJ Grip screws. Fresh late war screws will show slight bur from the slot cut. This is different than screwdriver damage.

I enlarged pic more and took a second closer look. I will agree with you. The blue being knocked off of the bur gave the appearance of having had a screwdriver inserted into the screw slot. I enlarged pic even more and can see what appears to be the bur material in the slot of the top screw.
I thought that the screws on my 44 fnj had had a screwdriver inserted into them as well. I don`t think so now.
Thanks for the info on late war screws. Always new stuff to learn at this forum, as long as you aren`t too old to learn.

 

[Slash]

Fresh late war screws will show slight bur from the slot cut.

On occasion, yes. Always, no. Just so there is no misunderstanding ......

 

[Slash]

Great bayonets for sure and frogs as well! Several 44fnj in the m block are recorded with the letter block on the reverse. I have a couple that are in this range. A number of m blocks also have a noticeable weak scabbard spring. Would be interested if you could check your example Mike and report back. Many thanks in advance ....

And the 44crs as well. The g range is where you begin to see the quality decline for Weyersberg.

I really like the frog on the 44fnj. Will look in my files and see if I can help with the maker.

 

[pzjgr]

Thanks everyone for the comments and input, it is much appreciated.

Slash, that 44fnj does have a weak scabbard spring, it slides in and out very slick, it won't fall out, but noticeably different than most all the other bayos for sure. Let me know on the frog, I know Andy said possibly a known luft variant?

I've got a rivet grip I need to photograph as well...

I have a few more to post up...first up is a 41 fze "d" block...another with the block suffix stamped on the "wrong" side. In really decent overall shape, unsharpened, but it looks like someone may have tried cleaning it with steel wool or something alog those lines a long time ago.

Of course the cool thing to me is the web frog...I cannot discern any markings on it at all, sadly...

 

[pzjgr]

This one, a 43 ddl was an oddball when I found it...matching, unsharpened. Blade is pretty nice, but you can see where it must have been wet in the scabbard, and sat like that, as the blade has three distinct spots of corrosion on both sides in exactly the same spots, I assume where the scabbard spring pushes against the blade causing the spots...otherwise just some runner wear.

The odd thing is the distinct grey phosphate finish on the scabbard and the bayonet except the blade. I assume it was done post war, but its weird, the finish is perfectly executed on the bayonet, but the blade is untouched. I bought this probably back in the 90's, at the time I had heard a little about "Grey Ghosts" and figured this might be one, so I snagged it. But as research progressed, I and did more digging I realized this wasn't the proper maker or range for those...but it still has a neat look, so I keep it.

The frog is cool, its brown leather, the rivets are brass, but the maker mark is very faint, but it looks like its dated 1935. Maker looks to be two lines, both being about equal in length (bottom line not shorter than top), but I can only make out a few letters...maybe.