Hello,

On typical Police Bayonets, we often see unit marking on the cross guard and upper scabbard fitting..
Were there designated Unit markings for rural police bayonets vs municipal police bayonets?

The reason, I ask is that I observe a lot of rural bayonets having unit numbers beginning with L (i.e. L. Ar. 306) whereas Municipal bayonets begin with S (i.e. S. D. VII 154) Could be coincidence, but interested in any insights ?

I know this may be an advanced question, but hoping someone can help

Thanks,
John

"S" is for "Schutzpolizei" (municipal) while "L" is for "Landjagerei" (rural).

Thanks Vern. !!

Rural bayonets will often show a brown leather scabbard in addition to the “L” marking.

We also see Polizei bayonets marked “P” for Polizeischule. Occasionally we see bayonets with other letters like “G” or “K”. I would guess they might be for Gemeindenpolizei and Kriminalpolizei.

Fitzer,

Vern and Billy are right on the mark regarding Municipal Schutzpolizei vs. Rural Landjagerei markings but bear in mind what we normally see are Prussian Police markings from the 1922 or the 1932 marking regulations. There were Bavarian Police, Saxon Police, etc. property markings as well. A good book on markings is "German Small Arms Markings From Authentic Sources" by Gortz & Bryans.

I hope this is helpful.

Thanks, ORPO.

Very helpful. You are right about Prussian markings being prevalent.

Dave

Thanks gents! I believe police bayonets were also reissued.. we sometimes see Weimar period unit marks X'd out and replaced with a simple number. I suppose a Bayonet could have started life in one district then reissued to another?

Yes they could be re-issued. Many were also refurbished and re-issued. So, a long Prussian Police bayonet could have been changed into the shorter post 1936 style Police bayonet with the shortening of the blade and removal of the clam shell guard etc. and returned to service in the now nationalized police anywhere in Germany.

Thanks Orpo.., really useful information!