GERMAN 1948 K98 BAYONET "S CODE" 1934
History
Soon after Hitler’s rise to power, the German war machine started to rearm, in direct contravention of the Treaty of Versailles. In order to keep the identities of the manufacturers’ secret, S-prefix maker codes were used. Between 1934 and 1935 there were twelve private sector manufacturers and each was assigned an S prefix code with the three digit number that followed being unique to each manufacturer. Bayonets produced during this period have walnut grip scales and are of outstanding workmanship. All have waffenamt acceptance stamps on their pommels.
This example was made in 1934 by Alexander Coppel, as indicated by the S173 serial number. The serial number ends with the letter K which identifies the year of manufacture as 1934.
The 252mm single edged blade has a deep single fuller on both sides and is in excellent condition retaining its original blued finish with some loss due to scabbard wear. The blade is marked on the ricasso with the S-code, “S173K.” The obverse ricasso bears the stamp “6589” over an italicised letter/symbol a.
The steel pommel bears two inspection stamps, of letter and number combinations below the German eagle. The working press stud also bears a Waffenampt. The walnut grip scales are in excellent condition and are held firmly in place by two screws.
The blued steel scabbard is without dents or damage and retains much of its original blued finish. The front of the scabbard is marked above the frog stud with the number 4708 over an italicised b. The back is marked at the top with the matching S-code as the blade S173K .
The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very good example of a pre-war German K98 bayonet produced in secrecy in the build up to World War Two and is a rae find for the serious German K98 collector.