Germany, Feuerschutzpolizei. A 1940 Enlisted Personnel Gaustadt Salzburg Etched Dress Bayonet

(Feuerschutzpolizei Bajonett). A well-preserved Feuerschutzpolizei (Fire Protection Police) dress bayonet, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 252 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. A single fuller runs approximately two-thirds of the length of each side of the blade. The obverse bears a detailed acid-etched inscription of “ZUM 25 JÄHRIGEN DIENSTJUBILÄUM DIE GAUSTADT SALZBURG 1940” (“TO THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GAUSTADT OF SALZBURG 1940”), flanked by stylized ladders enmeshed with arabesques. The blade sits securely within a one-piece nickel-plated magnetic metal hilt, with the seam covered by an intact brown leather buffer pad. The crossguard presents with contrasting hooked quillons in classic Feuerschutzpolizei style. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite compose the handle grip, and are secured together with dual non-magnetic metal rivets. As a dress piece, the hooked pommel lacks an insertion slot. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. Emanating from the side of the shaft is a downward-pointing hook for the accommodation of a frog. The throat of the scabbard retains a functional spring catch, firmly holding the bayonet in place during storage, held together by a single side rivet. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some loss of finish to the nickel-plated features with consequent superficial oxidation, loosening of the bakelite handle grips, and oxidation and loss of finish to the scabbard. The bayonet is in an overall very fine condition.