Split Code or Rework S/174 & S/176
- Thread starter Mike2994
- Start date
S/174 bayonet is WKC - S/176 scabbard is Paul Weyersberg. The 928 serial number stamping is not in a standard font on the bayonet or scabbard for either of these makers. The numbering is however similar to each other on both pieces. Indicative in my opinion of the numbering being stamped at the same time/hand perhaps at depot or by an armorer. The blade may also have been scrubbed at some point and refurbished. There appears to be a slight ghost of a number stamping to the right of the 8? The 36 on the bade spine appears to be an overstamp in a slightly different font. The 36 stamping under the S/176 on the scabbard is not in the proper "factory" format for Weyersberg for that period - should have the entire four digit year of 1936. The font of these two stampings is clearly different as well. All of these observations are evidence of a refurbishment or reworking to the piece at some point. My thoughts only .....
Mike2994
Well-known member
I appreciate your thoughts. I agree with your assessment of depot/armorer rework.
Now that you point it out I do see the ghost number on the blade, in person the ghost number is extremely difficult to see.
Definitely interesting. I’d be tempted to pull it apart and check for other markings. I have a rebuilt/Depot piece and there were a lot of interesting markings throughout that told a story.
Scabbard finish also look to be or was painted on.
For reference a Depot assembled or repaired piece.
www.k98kforum.com
For reference a Depot assembled or repaired piece.
Spandau Depot built bayonet
I had asked Slash about the chances of finding a Depot built and marked bayonet awhile back. He advised me it would be tough, Took me a few years, and to be honest back then I would not have likely known enough. But I saw this one and snagged it, It is a S/178/g scabbard that is well worn with...
www.k98kforum.com
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AndyB
Senior Member
Refurbished it could be twice as the grips are not proper for S/174 36, there should be wood grips, i agree with Slash about the renumbering on both parts, question is the scabbard as it looks like wrong or not well done finish over a older one. Serialing 928 looks like made by mashine but is not period. personally i believe the date on S/174 spine was done period there by WKC even hitted twice. The format of scabbards S/174 / 36 is well known so a possibility a spare scabbards from S/176 wout date could be delivered there to S/174? or they were mixed by depot and first refurbishment as spare ones and later so dated. There exist minimum comparation samples of that period.
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I believe the rig is original or period so I respectfully disagree with Andy.
He is correct in that these reworked examples are tough to come by.
There is no evidence of any grinding and the surface finish looks original (scabbard).
What is interested is why overstamp the spine with the same '36'.
He is correct in that these reworked examples are tough to come by.
There is no evidence of any grinding and the surface finish looks original (scabbard).
What is interested is why overstamp the spine with the same '36'.
These are good thoughts. I am firmly of the opinion that the work is original to the period.
Another thought would be that the pieces were originally part of their standard military contract production but diverted (for whatever reasons) for party or civil use. A behoerden example completed/assembled from spares as suggested by @RyanE. Not an unheard of period practice. The serial numbering could have been added by that issuing authority or organization as we sometimes see with other behoerden pieces; police or otherwise. My thoughts only ........
Personally, I like it a lot and certainly an interesting example.
AndyB
Senior Member
Should be presented certainly more pictures of complete blade of inspector proofs to made better opinion, anyway from what i see around the area where the scabbard mouth screw is touching the spine of blade for me it means the blade was reblued, is probably visible on ricasso area too as S/174 should have a better finish. The date of spine is mostly triple stamped, on far left is 6 remains and then twice very near. So i dont see problem with the date. More strange is the date on scabbard. Question is "are there any serials on blade under 928? when not so both parts could be spare, but the refurbishment should be done there in later period, by them could be changed the grips to bakelite.better pictures of ricasso, proofing could help a little probably.
