Hello. This is my first post. I recently purchased this Baden Police Bayo from WKC. It's surprising to me how little info is out there for these rare blades. I'm assuming this is pre-WWII based on the earlier WKC logo.

The blade is in near mint condition, however the back checkered grip is damaged. Three rivets. The leather-wrapped scabbard is in great shape as well. Anyway, I was just interested in any opinions or knowledge that I could absorb about these. Thank you for your help!

Hi & welcome,

I have a WKC Baden Polizei bayonet as well. Although yours has a 3 rivet grip, I believe this is in no way dispositive regarding the time of this bayonet's manufacture & use. From what I've seen, WKC used a 3 rivet grip even well beyond the Weimar era. The maker mark yours has was used during the NS zeit so it's quite possible this example was carried until the consolidation order for the unification of the Polizei was given.

I always appreciated this model bayonet's place in history, given it's unusual appearance. The hooked nose look was specifically so this bayonet coild not be affixed to a rifle &, of course, considered a weapon under the Versailles Treaty. In reality, this item is probably more of a "short sword" given it's overall size & heft.

The majority of these I've seem have been in excellent condition, they must have been made very well because they do seem to hold up to time well. I did own another years ago, a long model with the double oval maker mark, but I sold it off to a collector friend to fund other pursuits. From what George Wheeler has told me, there was also a gilt model as well.

The broken reverse grip will undoubtedly hurt this one's value, most likely because finding a replacement grip would be near impossible IMHO. That said, it is still a very presentable example of a scarce seitengewehr & one that is probably missing from many collections. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Welcome to the Forum DeltaForce.

I cover these Baden Police bayonets in my book, "Seitengewehr: History of the German Bayonet 1919-1945". As a matter of fact there is one shown on the cover.

They came in both white and gold metal colors and in a large size that was an item of issue and a smaller size that was for private purchase. The smaller (lighter weight) Extra-Seitengewehr version is the same size as the long model Prussian Police clamshell bayonets. These are quite hard to find in any condition but Billy is right that the broken grip will hurt value but it looks nice from the obverse side.

George Wheeler