K98 Fire/Police Parade Bayonet - The Karabiner 98 Kurz (often abbreviated Kar98k, K98, or K98k) was a bolt-action rifle adopted as the standard infantry rifle in 1935 by the German Wehrmacht, and was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles. A bayonet was developed for the Mausder rifle. It's original intent was for combat. however, later it was decided to have parade type bayonets that could be used during social events. The same basic structure was employed but everything else was changed to be more elegant rather than practical. Some variations to the parade model included the stag handle and etched blade. The bayonet for the parade model is featured in this page.

The design of the parade bayonet consisted of black plastic handles with a heavy checkered pattern secured to the tang via the use of two rivets. The pommel is an extension of the frame and it is capped with a "dove" head design. There is no lugnut release button in the pommel. The handguard in in the "S" shape with the ends being rounded. The scabbard is of metal construction, painted black. The tip has a round circular end attached to it.

The base of the blade has the manufacturer's logo stamped. The design of the logo consists of a circle with a lion standing in the center. The left front paw is up in the air. The name "C. Gustav Spitzer" is written on the top portion while the name Solingen is in the lower section. Solingen was a well renown city for the manufacturing of a large percentage of the Nazi edge weapons. A small leather oval is placed at the base of the blade. This piece helps provide a better fit when the bayonet is inserted in its sheath.

This page is a recognition and identification guide for German bayonets. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out specific points that should be noted. One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my German bayonet worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the Nazi bayonets is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the police sword in the collector's market is illustrated. This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of MilitaryItems.com, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public. WANT TO LEARN MORE? FAQ's Dagger and sword anatomy Edge weapon RZM numbers German Dagger hangers Edge weapon maker markings Hilt markings German edge weapon materials Perspective view Purchasing a German bayonet

This edge weapon is currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of edge weapons. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the item.