UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons The BCN Bayonet Forum KS98 - Eickhorn Hilt Variation

Just arrived is this massive long Eickhorn marked dress bayonet with a hilt that differs from the run of the mill dress bayonets. There is no way of attaching this bayonet to a rifle, not button, no slot.

You can see this type of bayo in the book, German Clamshells by Walker/Weinand, on page 49, and in the Wheeler book, Seitengewehr, on page 113, where it is described as a police issue K98.

Whatever it is, it is a neat variation to go with my Eickhorn TM variations.

John

John,

Scarcely seen item, very nicely conditioned too. I believe you're right, George W. felt they had a quasi-military function like Polizei, Zollbeamte, etc. Whatever it is, it's nice. U suppose you could have your pick as to which knot to put on it

Actually these were made for serious use unlike most of the KS 98 style. The hilt is steel and there is a similiar one that does affix to the K98

This looks great :-) I have never seen these before. It would indeed be great to have one of these in ones collection. Great find John!

JAN

John,

Here are a couple of this style of bayonet made by Eickhorn. One early oval maker marking and one later big squirrel. These solid hilt KS98 examples are similar to the standard police bayonets made with, and without, attaching slots. They also have only a T slot rather than a T/O slot like the stag grip police bayonets. The only steel hilt KS98 with T/O slots I have found are the ones made specifically for the RFV that also have drain holes in the hard rubber grips. These steel bayonets also often have issue markings on them.

They are actually quite scarce but are often overlooked by collectors.

George

George,

Great pieces!

Thanks Billy. I should also point out that the T slot bayonets will only properly fit on the K98a carbine used extensively by the police. In order to fit it to a later K98 (or even a Gew98) used by the military one has to remove the cleaning rod. The earlier K98a does not have a cleaning rod, only a stacking rod, which does not require a T/O slot on the bayonet.

George

George:

Thnak you for your post.

This bayonet is heavier than its other counterparts as well.

John

Here's one stamped "G19".

Hi Georges

I have also a T slotted Eickhorn KS with 89 on the blade. Do you knot the meaning of these numbers on the blade ?
Regards
Alain

Alain,

The numbers are often these large size numbers so I suspect they are all from the same agency. Unfortunately the only ones I have seen with property markings are those where the numbers are preceeded by a "G" and the one above that has the large size letters. I believe the letters on the one above are from a prison (Strafanstalten) and this is also indicated by Gortz & Bryans in their book "German Snall Arms Markings from Authentic Sources". I have also seen some with smaller size die stamped numbers that seem to be from a different jail or organization.

George

John, killer looking Eick you picked up.I need to find one with the standard later squirrel.

here are 4 of the oval TM type one with T-slot. As George pointed out they are very similar to the RFV type with out the drain hole. these are often found with a blued scabbard.

Tim I have the older brother to your G-19 mine is G-15

steve,

this one is the t-slot type. the pommel is stamped 27

and last, this one dose not conform to known examples it has the standerd 9 3/4 inch blade. it looks to have been messed with. note the ridge on inside of the crossguard.

steve.

Nice Steve, definately members of the same family.

looks like i forgot one pic to go with the last one I posted.
it has P stamped on crossguard.

Hi George
Thanks for this interesting information.
Regards
Alain

Excellent thread. Thanks guys for sharing I learned something today!!
John I like your squirrel!!

Gentlemen,

It's been a long time since I've added any edged weapons to my collection, however, I thought this one was just too unique to pass by. I think I made a good choice? I've always wanted a nice, sawback bayonet model of some kind, so when this unusual example was offered I didn't hesitate too long. At first I had no idea about how difficult these S84/98 and KS 98 models can be to locate, and so that's a good way to start off ...

From what I understand, this is an early private-purchase (Extra-Seitengewehr) example by Carl Eickhorn, marked with back-to-back squirrels and C.E. stamp. A fairly long unit at 15 1/4 inches long, this sawback version came with its original pebbled-frog and smaller NCO/officers, leather-strap knot. The painted, steel scabbard is dent-free and retains a fine, black lacquer finish. So far, so good ... but it gets better.

The grip is equipped with a working, "T/O" style, lug slot. But what really surprised me about this piece is that the checked grip plates aren't made of synthetic material or carved wood, these are cut and fashioned of natural horn. As I'm nearsighted as a bat, so it took an oversize magnifying glass and a bit of time for that to sink in ... nice! The carved horn plates are held tightly in place with three steel rivets. The plated, sawback blade is still in very nice condition, the finish is all there except for a few tiny areas on and between the teeth, at the spine. Just a few small signs of use throughout the sidearm, a couple of nicks and scratches to the bird's-head pommel and minor hits and flaws to the grip plates.

If I missed anything or goofed something up, please correct me. Glad I could add to this interesting thread, good job fellas.

Best!

Bill

2/3

3/3

Willi,

Very interesting bayonet. What color is the cat's anus on the knot?

Cat's anus,that's good one

Billy,

Kind of hard to tell, it looks to be patina/dirt, silver bullion threads mixed with a dark-gray(?) non-metallic thread.
Something like that, yes? The ball, cap and stem have all taken on that lovely gold hue, but I'm fairly certain it's original color was silver.

Thanks for anything you can add.

W~

Bill,

That for sure is a beauty, definitely a keeper.

Rich

Willi:

Great conditioned bayonet. You just can't find them like this any more.

The back to back squireel TM was used from about 1909 to 1923 (and post war for some fakes).

The 3 rivet hilt construction, plus its obvious heft, make me think that this would have been a pre WW1 or possibley a WW1 vintage piece.

John

Gents,

Appreciate your positive comments and knowledgeable input. I'm very pleased to have ended up with this fine example, lots of great history to it.

It also goes to prove that, "every now and then the blind pig finds an acorn ..."

Thanks again and good collecting to all.

Best!

B~

Bill,

You sure have the best piggy sense and talent for rooting out some of the nicest things of anyone I know! Congratulations!

That's a nice letter opener you have there.