Germany, Luftwaffe. A Flak-Sperrfeuer-Bataillon 88 Commemorative Dress Bayonet

(Luftwaffe Bajonett). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Flak-Sperrfeuer-Bataillon 88 commemorative dress bayonet, measuring 41 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. The obverse bears an acid-etched dedication of “ZUR ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT FLAK-SPERRFEUER-BATT. 88” (“IN MEMORY OF MY SERVICE TIME WITH FLAK-SPERRFEUER-BATT. 88”), flanked on the left by a Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika and on the right by a Stahlhelm. It sits securely within a one-piece nickel-plated alloy hilt with a hooked quillon and hollow insertion slot with a functional push-button spring release. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite, secured together with dual magnetic metal rivets. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. A downward-pointing hook emanates from the side of the shaft for the accommodation of a frog. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, loss of finish to the nickel plating of the hilt, and moderate loss of scabbard paint. This interesting and unit-attributed bayonet remains in a near extremely fine condition.