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For your consideration, you are viewing a WW2 German piece of military history. This is a WKC M1884/98 Third Pattern or SG. 84/98 III Bayonet, with a rolled metal WKC Scabbard and leather frog, for use on the 8 mm. Mauser Kar 98k Rifle, the legendary German rifle of WWII, or Seitengewehr (sidearm)  This bayonet will also mount to most Mauser bolt-action rifles that were based on the M1898. Before the M1898 rifles, all bayonets were supported at the rear by a bayonet lug and at the front by the muzzle ring. But, there was a problem with the contact between the barrel and the muzzle ring which adversely affected the accuracy of the rifle. The M1898 introduced a mounting bar that could adequately support a bayonet without the need for a muzzle ring. This bayonet only has the trademark "WKC" with no Waffenampts. (Heerwaffenampt (HWaA) markings are the government inspection stamps found on most WWII German military equipment.) Trademarked SG. 84/98 III bayonets made for export, and commercial sales, this was mostly likely a special order for a German Officer, these were also issued to the Police although these were quite rare.  This example also has the scarce brown bakelite handle grips and a 1939 WKC scabbard, The Germans used three maker marks systems for the SG. 84/98 III.

• Number Codes: used 1934-1937. Germany started re-arming in 1934, to maintain the facade that they were complying with the Treaty of Versailles, they devised a numerical code system to hide the identity of arms makers.
• Commercial Trademarks: used 1937-1941. In 1936, Germany openly renounced the Treaty of Versailles. This made the Number Codes unnecessary, so makers simply began marking bayonets with their commercial trademark.
• Letter Codes: used 1941-1945. The outbreak of WWII created the necessity to hide the identity of arms makers, to avoid exposing war production manufacturers to aerial bombing raids.

This has a metal pommel with a spring-loaded press catch button. The release button is round on one side and rectangular on the other. The handle grips are serrated, brown bakelite plastic that is held by 2 slotted screws, secured by a split nut. The 10" blade is made of tempered steel, with a single edge for most of its length except until it reaches the spear point tip, then it is a double edge for the last few inches. The back or spine is flat. A fuller groove extends and covers 70 per cent of the length on both sides. The scabbard is rolled metal with a ball finial end and a long tear drop frog stud near the throat, and a Yugoslavian Leather Bayonet frog is handstitched and it  is a genuine thick bovine cowhide construction. # The makers and inspection marks are:

• RICASSO: WKC
• SCABBARD: WKC over 1939 - REVERSE: 1327

CONDITION: This bayonet is from circa 1939, and is in good condition for its age and use in warfare. The plastic grips are in very good condition with no missing pieces, but has some indent marks and fit tightly to the tang, The flashguard has lots of strick marks as it has been used as a hammer, and the release/lock button is in working order. The 25 cm blade has a worn-blued finish and a pitting mark in the centre of the right fuller. The edge is sharp, it shows sharpening marks and has no dings. The remaining metal on the cross-guards, pommel and mortise has a worn blued finish with some scuff wear, indents and an aged patina. The scabbard is in very good condition, and it has a refurbished blackened finish, which has a couple of paint chips and scuff marks, it has no dents, the bayonet belt frogs leather is supple, the stitching is tight and unbroken and fits tightly together with the bayonet. # Please note that the photographs form part of the description; Super-sized photos are available for viewing in the eBay gallery, to show the finer details and conditions.

• Photos do not show the actual size so please read the description page for the exact measurements.
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• The item in the photos is the one that you will receive.
• The lead photo has had the background removed with Photoshop, but all the original untouched photos are included in the listing for viewing.
• Any errors will be accidental and not intentional or purposely misleading.