Germany, Luftwaffe. A Commemorative Dress Bayonet, by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie

(Luftwaffe Bajonett). An extremely well-preserved Luftwaffe commemorative dress bayonet, measuring 41 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge, and with a fuller running approximately three-quarters of the length of each side. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “ZUR ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT BEI DER FLIEGERTRUPPE” (“IN MEMORY OF MY SERVICE TIME WITH THE FLYING TROOPS”), flanked by Wehrmacht- and Luftwaffe-style German national eagles clutching swastikas. The obverse ricasso also bears the maker’s mark of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie, Solingen. The blade sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated non-magnetic metal hilt with a hooked quillon, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. A hollow insertion slot is set into the pommel and retains 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 period 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 an optional frog. The throat is flanked by a rivet which fastens in place a spring cach to firmly hold the bayonet in place during storage. The hilt demonstrates moderate loss of finish, but it remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.