Late war diverted/salvaged Eickhorn Behoerden (commercial) 3rd model

[bruce98k]

Just received this from a fellow forum member. All appears correct but unusual with the scrubbed markings on the bard.
My best guess is that the scabbard was salvaged and refinished, and release with the heavily tooled cof43 blade.
I am assuming that the blade while coded 1943 is much later?

Anyway, appreciate any comments.

 

[grimlin13]

I agree with your assessment.
The scabbard is part of the 43 "L" block and the blade could be from a later run or even the same run. I went to k98.free to compare. While there are no "L" blocks listed for 43 there are two "J" blocks and an "M". The earlier serialized (0784) "J" block is smooth at riccaso and the later serialized (5786) "J" block shows the rough finish. The "M" block shows rough finish as well.
As a side thought. Maybe this bayonet was not meant to be a Behoerden. Perhaps a problem with scabbard. Set was pulled. Issue was attended to. Bayonet was waiting to be reinspected and serialized. Got diverted or just sat somewhere until liberated.

 

[pwcosol]

Additional info from a 2018 post discussing more monkey business going on at Eickhorn in 1943. Also, stellar late Eickhorn behoerden, Bruce! Maybe one of the earlier pieces assembled for the behoerden contract with code|date markings intact and bright, blue finish (or possible reject assembled later?)...

https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/question-on-bayonet-cof-43.31096/#post-232803

 

[bruce98k]

Thanks Fred....my initial assumption appears correct. Also thanks for the link to the older thread!

 

[luftpirate]

Interesting bayonet for sure! We need a forensic lab to uncover those scrubbed stampings.

 

[CanadianAR]

That is a sweet commercial blade!

 

[CanadianAR]

To me the scabbard looks like cof44 and I know for a fact the L block of 44 is that script.

 

[grimlin13]

To me the scabbard looks like cof44 and I know for a fact the L block of 44 is that script.

I have seen the same script L on cof 41, 43 and a on a 39 Eickhorn.

 

[CanadianAR]

I have seen the same script L on cof 41, 43 and a on a 39 Eickhorn.

Personally I still see a ghost 4. Based on scabbard quality I think 43 is possible but 44 also possible. Especially with the throat to scabbard top fitment issues

 

[AndyB]

From the rough finish on spine of blade, is more as real the piece is left over from 1943 but was realised in 1944 for Behoerden delivery, the scabbard could be marked cof44 and removed?

 

[grimlin13]

Personally I still see a ghost 4. Based on scabbard quality I think 43 is possible but 44 also possible. Especially with the throat to scabbard top fitment issues

I can see a very faint second 4 ( the front corner part anyway) now that I take a second and closer look. I was not disagreeing with you on it being a 44 or 43, just that you cannot base it on the script L.

 

[mauser99]

interesting stuff.. I dont recall that old thread but, its nice to see it in context with this bayonet. I figured it was odd and pretty much near new.. Most of this after the fact to the commercial market didnt seen to get used.
Gear, guns ect. all seems pretty much flat new. Considering there was no commercial market in 44 anyways this all seems odd.. Im assuming it failed inspection and was deemed un-fit for the military so kick it to the people..

 

[CanadianAR]

I can see a very faint second 4 ( the front corner part anyway) now that I take a second and closer look. I was not disagreeing with you on it being a 44 or 43, just that you cannot base it on the script L.

Agreed , I’d not seen a 43 L so could only base on my own observations

It’s sexy whatever year it is.

 

[grimlin13]

LOL yes and I bet more so for you since you do the late thing.

 

[Rhind64]

Wow! Fantastic piece Bruce! The commercial application especially late in the war is very interesting to me.
Rick

 

[mauser99]

I just picked up other this past weeked. Same show different seller. This one is completely bank and came with a period shrunk down frog Rb#'d telling me its been on there since the wars end. Came with a mint un-issued k98k 3 cell pouch both pulled out of the same estate. There was more stuff but , it had already been sold. I buy as much un-issued stuff as I can find.

I will post photo's when I get a chance..

 

[mauser99]

I just inspected the bayonet in day light with a loop. This one the markings were removed clearly ground off then the blade was blued. The scabbard is typical Cof type sand blasted with grey finish.

 

[mauser99]

here are the promised photos. Both sides of the blade are ground. So this one was serial numbered at some point. The scabbard shows no scrubbing I could see. I didnt want to risk breaking the frog to remove it. Im very happy with this one !!!

 

[heavy_mech]

Pretty neat and interesting thread. I notice how different yours is ground compared to Bruce's.

 

[mauser99]

Pretty neat and interesting thread. I notice how different yours is ground compared to Bruce's.

the one Bruce bought is a left over IMHO coded and dated and never serialized. This one made it into ser # production I assume being ground on both sides. No signs of any proofing anywhere. Unless totally scrubbed

added a few more pic's