UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons The BCN Bayonet Forum German k98 with Unit markings?

Hello,

I have not seen this before, but are these "4. 143" German markings (railroad?) or are they post-war yugo stamps, or something else?
The bayonet is a matching E.Pack 1940.

Regards,
Droin

There exist similar unit marking on some captured CS Vz.24 bayonets, when origin WW2 period it could be armorer inventory of a 4.company,weapon nr.143 within unknown unit. Or its a postwar stamping.Is the unit stamp on scabbard too?b.r.Andy

Hi Andy,

No, not stamped like that on the scabbard (but the original number and maker mark both match the bayonet). The bayonet came with a Polish captured frog, and the belt on the pictures. Is it possible to tell from the buckle if it's police, or railroad unit, or something else? The stamp on the belt reads "Schmidt & Co K G - Schwelm 1937". The frog is unmarked.

Unfortunately these are the only pictures I have, as the belt was sold separately. The seller said that it was all brought back as a set by a US soldier, a family member. They did not know when exactly that was.

Thanks for your help!

Regards,
D.

It would be nice to see the frog, the scabbard was dismounted as the mouth piece is damaged a little. b.r.Andy

It was the usual Polish 1924 frog, without markings.
D.

Droin,

I agree with Andy that it is difficult to determine just what your unit markings indicate. The belt and buckle are standard Army (HEER) issue, not railway. Assuming the serial numbers match and it has WaA stamps, the bayonet also appears to be standard WH (Wehrmacht) issue from what can be seen.

These armorer applied markings provide interest but they are not definitive as to who placed them there and when I am afraid.

Thank you ORPO and Andy, this was a long shot.

Andy, where can I find something about those Czech bayonets with similar markings you mentioned?

Best regards,
Droin

I should have mentioned that the serial on the scabbard was stamped over an older number. 7793 was stamped over 7303 to match the bayonet.

The 2 WaA stamps on the bayo are 253 and 255 next to each other (or maybe both are 255 its hard to tell). The scabbard WaA is very hard to make out.

Does anyone know when this kind of re-stamping usually happened and why? Why is it important to have them match?

Strangely, the bayonet is dated 40 on the spine, just like the scabbard.

Both proofs are WaA253, the reserialing was done probably later as the 7 digit is different font used as on old origin serial number, could be done by the armorer who stamped the unit stamp.Is there any letter under serial on scabbard?
The number of bayonet was added in personal book "Soldbuch" of soldier, so all parts should be matched.b.r.Andy
To Your previous question,mentioned units stamp on Vz.24 are different with slash between so 4./155 to sample and were presented on Wehrmacht Awards forum some years ago.

No, there is no letter under the serial on the scabbard. The WaA on stamp on the ball of the scabbard is very deep and hard to make out, but it seems to also be 253.
Thanks very much
D.

I have seen very similar issue markings on other pieces of German WW2 individual equipment...most notably the RG34 "tobacco-tin" cleaning kit. One also might find such numbers stamped on a rifle stock, or accessories for same, like a steel muzzle cover (but most often this is numbered to the rifle). By the start of the war, the application of unit numbers was discontinued or replaced by a issuance serial number if one was deemed necessary.