Strange bayonet

[RyanE]

This is not a 84/98 variation with which I am familiar. Flat-top crossguard, no flash guard, and a narrow mortise slot. I do not think this will even fit on a rifle.

Some sort of dress bayonet?

 

[denny gaither]

I have never seen, nor heard of a Völker 84/98. The only blades I have seen were SA daggers - and then with a different logo as shown below from Fisher's book. I can't say that I have ever seen an engraved maker's mark like yours. What are your thoughts on it, Ryan?

 

[RyanE]

I have never seen, nor heard of a Völker 84/98. The only blades I have seen were SA daggers - and then with a different logo as shown below from Fisher's book. I can't say that I have ever seen an engraved maker's mark like yours. What are your thoughts on it, Ryan?

I probably should have taken a chance on this one just to see it in hand, but its not mine. The engraved makers mark is certainly a red flag, but the unusual construction is odd enough to make me wonder if it is a legitimate piece, possibly post-war? It clearly cannot be a combat bayonet, so what else could it be but a dress bayonet?

 

[denny gaither]

I probably should have taken a chance on this one just to see it in hand, but its not mine. The engraved makers mark is certainly a red flag, but the unusual construction is odd enough to make me wonder if it is a legitimate piece, possibly post-war? It clearly cannot be a combat bayonet, so what else could it be but a dress bayonet?

JMO, but my gut feeling is that I wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft. pole. I've heard comments about 84/98 bayonets being reproduced and to me, this one looks to be a good candidate! It'll be interesting to see if others show up. Thanks for posting the pics...

 

[ANDYH]

I get it, April Fools!!!

 

[AndyB]

Yes i have already seen similar bayonet some years ago, maybe on BCN forum from a member, anyway this is a clearly dress bayonet with typical S84/98 configuration also not KS98, the grips are probably replacements as not cleaning hole there and oversized, so i assume there was a black plastic riveted? grips in previous life probably. Personally i dont believe this on ricasso is engraved, more real its stamped and was used as a reklame thing probably. Nothing strange, question remains for me the scabbard as it looks like a service one was used here, remains of one digit in front? It was reblued probably and refinished. Should be looked at ball finial for proofs, it could be too a Blanko scabbard.

 

[grimlin13]

Andy, do you think it could be a reworked Spanish Standard-Modell? That long ricasso and the blade appears to have a tang that goes through the cross guard and into the handle. Of course, it is in an S84/98 III scabbard and not a Spanish one.

 

[AndyB]

How could be a spanish bayonet when the rifle slot is not functional, which is clearly visible? should be proofed on rifle. This is a dress bayonet for me, made for reclame or other reason, most real in same configuration as spanish M43 bayonets were made with 2 parts, cast handle and blade riveting into handle.

 

[AndyB]

Here is other piece that was presented some year ago. It was on german forum when i remember corectly, most real it was part of werkschutz of that firm. The bayonet had a dress frog with rivets, normal fitted wood grips.

 

[AndyB]

The info about the Adolf Voelker Schmalkalden is a Werkzeug fabrik, located in east germany, in area of Suhl, Erfurt triangle, so when they became a contract for SA daggers is possible they could made any dress bayonets too, or minimum completed it (in that case its a maker mark). or as mentioned it could be used in the fabric as Werkschutz, Feuerschutz with the owner designation?

 

[pwcosol]

Here is another oddball stamped MERZ | WERKE. I know a bit of history on this one and believe it sold a few years back at the SOS and went to Europe. However, this example might be property marked with the firm's name for factory protection personnel rather than as a retailer's merchandise. There appears to be a single WaA below the rear edge of the pommel, so definitely not a extraseitengewehr.

 

[AndyB]

Looks like WaA519 remains also Solingen 1942-44 period. Merz Werke should be located in Frankfurt am Main, .

 

[McDonald]

I own an "Adolf Völker Schmalkalden" because when I bought it I was hoping that it would be a "narrow blade" bayonet. It cannot be attached to the K98k, but has the same number with "68" on the pommel, the handle and the two grips. There are no other stamps. I have attached pictures for direct comparison with (from top to bottom) two "narrow blades", the "Adolf Völker" and a "Spain".

 

[Slash]

Here is another oddball stamped MERZ | WERKE. I know a bit of history on this one and believe it sold a few years back at the SOS and went to Europe. However, this example might be property marked with the firm's name for factory protection personnel rather than as a retailer's merchandise. There appears to be a single WaA below the rear edge of the pommel, so definitely not a extraseitengewehr.

I remember this piece well. The single WaA519 has been almost completely removed (scrubbed) which dates the piece to middle/late 1944. Personally; not a fan of the MERZ-WERKE marking on this bayonet. An embellishment I'm afraid .....

 

[AndyB]

Thanks for comparation with other piece to McDonald, looks like evidently a type of dress S84/98 bayonet with the Schmalkalden logo. Even visible on shorter and lighter handle. What is interesting there , wooden grips wout cleaning hole, and blueing of overall bayonett, so using as a Werkschutz is possible as it probably copied the normal S84/98 bayonet only it was lighter and not attachable. With existing already 3 samples it would be probably not so rarity.