May I kindly ask the opinion of our forum bayonet specialists?

I found this double etched Alcoso Reichswehr bayonet.

What I know is that the Reichswehr was established in Germany after WWI and that it was allowed to be only be 10 divisions strong by the Versailles treaty.

Do you have any information about these bayonets? This is the first that I have found...

Thanks and best regards,

Herman

Herman:

I gotta admit that this is a new one for me.

The dress bayonet does have the very early ACS trademark that one can sometimes find on the earliest of Alcoso Heers.

During the TR era, Alcoso did not have their own in house etching, but purchased all of their etches from Holler. This pattern is not a Holler pattern, but could have been a very early attempt to etch own blades, a practice eventually given up by the firm when it became easier and cheaper to outsource the etch production.

So, I must say that I do not know if this is real or not and period or not, but, if period, for sure it is pre TR.

John

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply!

This bayonet has more pre 3R-period features than just the makers mark:
- The grip plates are made of wood (pic 1 hereunder)
- Blade shape is slimmer compared to 3R dress bayonets.
- The etchings are similar in style to those found on triple etched swords made by Alcoso. (pic 2 & 3).

Any other inputs?

Anyone has (seen) a similar one?

Thanks and best regards,

Herman

Herman,

Very interesting item indeed. My understanding of that specific Alcoso mark is that it bridged the gap between the Weimar era & 3R, being used in both periods. Alcoso was in production continuously so such a piece could easily exhibit attributes from both era & still have no issues whatsoever. I think it's a very unusual item that is very interesting.

With respect to the etch pattern, I can tell you that the filigree motif on the tops & bottoms of this etch are idenitcal to those of Alcoso Fire Official's daggers I have observed. There have only been 3 of them but they all had the same maker's mark as well.

Hi Billy, Thanks a lot! That is interesting information!

Will I find any pictures on our forum (or elsewhere) of this etched Alcoso Fire Official's dagger?

Best regards,

Herman

Herman,

It's possible that one of them made it into the thread I started on Fire Official's daggers since I did own one of them briefly, about 10 years ago. The condition was not great but I returned it because the scabbard was a mismatched scabbard from a hirschf�nger. I returned it back to Deutschland because I didn't think I'd ever find an appropriate replacement for the original.

The pictures I have are on a different computer but I will try to get them posted later on this evening, for you to compare.

Loved these etched Bayonets They are Beautiful

Herman,

I found two Alcoso Fire Official's daggers that had similar etch borders, both had the late Weimar/early 3R ACS logo. This one was on Tom Johnson's site.

The one I purchased & returned is pictured in high resolution pics which I can't resize at the moment, but I think you can see the resemblance, nicht wahr?

Hi Billy,

Again many thanks for that information and for taking the time to post the picture: both blade decorations look indeed very similar!

Best regards,

Herman

There is no question that this is a rare and original bayonet

Hello, Houston,

Good to see you again.

Regards,
Dave