Last Ditch K98 by E&F Horster 1944

German WWII > Edged Weapons > Bayonets > Combat Bayonets

Blade is a blued example with no sharpening and a great original blued finish. Look at that corse finish! The blade is "44ASW" stamped indicating 1944 manufacture. This matches the scabbard. The crossguard is also stamped 5264 and 44ASW. The pommel and ball are inspection stamped. There is minor oxidation throughout. So The 5 stamp on the blade is missing and the 4 barly visible, regarless I'm comfortable these are matching. Look at how the 2 and 6 are centered. The 4 is very lightly stamped and the 5 who knows? Chip and crack-free brown/orange bakelite grip-plates are correctly riveted as was the fashion adopted by Horster to expedite production with the Allies at the doorstep. Everything has the look of expediting production, no time to pretty up anything at this stage. The scabbard shows oxidation but no dents. Speer pulled out all the stops to equip his Volksturm!