Hello

I don't remember the meaning of the the "P R 8" marking on the crossguard of the K98 spanish bayonets.
Could you help my poor memory ?
Thanks
Alain

There's one thing for sure,it doesn't stand for Panzer Regiment 8, as several well known dealers have suggested!!!!

Good one Chris, like all chrome plated lugers are SS officrs guns

This information from my archive which I got from Spanish gun forum:
"PR8 means Para (fusil) Refarmado Numero 8.
For reformed rifle model 8. This was a mix of Spanish Mauser 1943 and CETME parts, known as FR8.
FR7 was made from Spanish 1893 and CETME parts and carried PR7 bayonet."

Thanks a lot Andrei !!

I am going to put this information in my files.

Best regards
Alain

Thank you Andrei. That the PR 8 marking is postwar makes sense as it is seen on some (but not all) of the late 1930’s German 98K export model bayonets sent to Spain. But on another level it does not make sense. That’s because the FR 8 rifles were adapted to the H&K type front sight/flash hider configuration with no 98K style bayonet lug. And the (from memory) FR 7’s were the same, but built on the Spanish model 93 bolt actions instead of the model 98 (Spanish model 1943). FP

You may be right Fred. PR8 marking is still mystery....I have m43 and m1893 Spanish bayonets with this marks (pr8). For sure they don't fit to FR8 rifles, but perfectly fit to Mauser M98 or M43 rifles. We shouldn't forget about different adapters to allow different bayonet to fit certain rifles ( for example adapter to allow 1941 Bolo bayonet to fit K98 Mauser rifle)
Searching deeper I found more version of this mystery PR8.
- Rework facility - the Servicio de Recuperacion de Materiales de Guerra, which depends PR8: Parque de Recuperacion no. 8.
- Parque Regional No.8 in Mallorca.
This versions bring us back to Spanish civil war , when two institutions for two contenders that needs desperately to get arms: for the Republic, the Subsecretaria de Armamento, for the rebels, the Servicio de Recuperacion.
As a theory - all weapons marked PR belongs to rebels army and explain a huge amount of German K98 bayonets with this marking.

Hello all, new to the site. Starting research on a blade I have just inherited, led me hear. I believe this blade is one of the bayonets mentioned in this thread. I know nothing about it other than it has come from Mother's side from an uncle I think. My mothers family hails from Puerto Rico and always thought the P.R.8 on the blade meant it was from Puerto Rico...lol. She always said it was from some war in Puerto Rico with Ted Roosevelt. Quick research only shows a war in Cuba, not P.R.. Any info or research links would be great.