UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons The BCN Bayonet Forum Finally - All 4 Pioneers

A few years ago, I acquired my first Pioneer bayonet, a long bladed Eickhorn with clipped pommel, at a veteran's estate auction. Before the advent of the internet, I doubt if I'd seen over half a dozen of these in 50 years of collecting and going to gun shows. As they now seem to be showing up on eBay from time to time, I thought "why not try to get all four of the standard variations?" Easy, right? Nope!!
Well, after a long struggle, I finally made it! The last, and the hardest to find was the short blade with the full un-clipped pommel.

Please bear with me as I have several pictures (and some questions) for our esteemed members.

Here are the four together. Left to right
Unmarked short w/clipped pommel and standard carbine style short blade
Karl Eickhorn long w/clipped pommel
C. Gustav Spitzer long w/un-clipped pommel
Karl Julius Krebs short w/un-clipped pommel and wide blood groove blade

Same four

Again

Once more

Tag sewn on the back of the Spitzer frog

Here are two more long bladed Pioneer bayonets. The left one is an early Paul Weyersberg while the one on the right is an E&F Hörster. Notice the unusual shape of the pommel of the Hörster. Has anyone seen one like this before? All the others are shaped like the Weyersberg.

Here is the early trademark of the Weyersberg

Finally, here's a shot of all six. Thanks for looking.
L-R
Weyersberg
Unmarked
Krebs
Hörster
Spitzer
Eickhorn

Well done Denny, I don't even have one with 'beak' despite spending a lot fo time watching flebay. Nice collection

Keith

What can we say but nice job. I have had one long bladed for many years and have only seen one short blade. Nice collection Denny

TKissinger

Wow Dennis super! An education for all of us!

DENNY, Thank you for the fine presentation of your pioneer bayonets. It makes you realize that probably all the bayonet makers produced the pioneer model. The BCN Forum is great because it is always bringing out more new information. The attached photos include 5 Eickhorn and one Puma model. Three of the etched models are Eickhorn and one is the Puma.
Sincerely,
Hubertus

Etched models

Denny

See what you have started.

Hubertus

As usual your pieces are outstanding.

I don't think I need to picture my one Pioneer

TKissinger

Thanks for showing these Ralph. As to be expected from your collection - these are magnificent.

Denny, Congrats on the collection! Very nice.

Ralph, super!

Lance O. Adams .....

Thanks for the kind words Lance,

See ya at the SoS

Denny thanks for starting this post on the Pioneer bayonets. I hope we will see more makers and variations added to it. I bought this pioneer stag so long ago I forgot I had it when I first added to your post. It is as mint as I guess you can find now a days. The stag grips are a collectors desire on their own.

Merry Christmas everyone.
Sincerely,
HUBERTUS

Photograph #2

Photograph #3

Photograph #4

Photograph # 5..

Wonderful bayonets, Ralph. Some of my favorite things.

HOUSTON,--As a collector I can say you truly take out breath away with your bayonets. That is what it is all about. Showing what is out there and remembering the German army was in the millions. I think the forums are great for bringing the interest to collectors to a higher level.
Thanks for giving everyone a treat.
Sincerely,
HUBERTUS

Sigh.... What can I say.
Ralph forgets he has pieces that would be the centerpiece of my paltry collection and Houston shows honor bayonets that are breath-taking.
I know.... "This is a stick-up. Gimme all your blades!"

Merry Christmas everyone.

btt with a few additions

Plain in comparison with Ralphs and Houstons fine bayonets but still rare in their own right. Notice the grip and pommel shape on the unmarked example. Denny has my respect in managing to obtain all the variations, it looks like its going to be a long quest as I keep coming up with the more prolific long clipped variation.

HORSTER
EICKHORN
EICKHORN
UNMARKED

Degens,

Very Nice! Great photography too....

Should anyone be interested, see page 102 and 103 of my book for a very rare type of etched Pioniere bayonet. A "minty" example. It's not on my web-site but is for sale.

I Love This Stuff
Von Ryan

Denny,
I wanted to add this because of the TM. It's a difficult one to aquire, let alone being in the pioneer style. Unfortunately it's not mint, it's got some wear to the pommel. It could be many years before I'm able to upgrade it. I have three pioneers. A short late war Eick, a short Alcoso, and this long Christians. The first two I mentioned are on Orpo's thread on the pioneer styles. It would be nice to know how many other manufactuers made the pioneer style.
Steve. Sorry larger pics on the next page.

Oops, hope this is a better pic.

PIc #2

Stephen,
That is the first Christians Pioneer I've seen. A rare maker for this variation and in nice condition too. Thanks for sharing.

Well there ya go, thanks Ralph for sharing that Stag gripped example, but they gott'a be a rare breed. Your's doesn't appear to have had any use (perhaps liberated from a factory or store before it was sold retail).

I Love This Stuff
Von Ryan

Wayne, it was purchased with a group of plain mint Eickhorn bayonet blades a few years back from a old friend, John Pearson.