Germany, Heer. A Dress Bayonet, by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co.

(Heer Bajonett). A Heer dress bayonet, measuring 350 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 200 mm-long magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip, sharpened lower edge, and with a narrow fuller running the length of each side. Stamped onto the reverse ricasso is a maker’s mark of “WKC” for Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co., topped by the firm’s knight’s helmet logo. It sits securely within a silvered zink alloy upper crossguard, featuring a hooked quillon, which transitions into a one-piece hilt. An intact black leather buffer pad covers the seam where the blade meets the crossguard. The pommel features a hollow insertion slot with a push-button spring catch. Two pieces of polished staghorn comprise the handle grip, and are secured together with dual non-magnetic metal rivets. The bayonet is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. A downward-pointing hook emanates from the side of the shaft and secured to a period original black leather frog which is stitched into a belt loop and held together with six magnetic metal rivets. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include running marks to the blade, loosening of the blade, oxidation and loss of finish to the zink alloy and magnetic metal features, and material fatigue to the leather. The bayonet is in an overall fair condition.