Germany, Heer. A Heer NCO’s Commemorative Dress Bayonet, by Carl Eickhorn

(Heer Bajonett). An extremely well-preserved Heer NCO’s commemorative dress baynet, measuring 410 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard and frog. It features a 250 mm-long polished magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and dual fullers. The obverse of the blade bears a highly detailed acid-etched inscription of “ZUR ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT” (“IN COMMEMORATION OF MY SERVICE TIME”), set on a stylized banner surrounded by oak leaves. The inscription is flanked on one side by a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, and on the other by an oak leaf topped by crossed rifles and a Stahlhelm. On the reverse, the ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within a nickel-silver plated hilt, with the seam covered by an intact brown leather buffer pad. The hilt features a hooked quillon and an insertion slot retaining an original red wool insert. It retains a functional push-button spring release. The handle grip consists of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite fastened together with dual magnetic metal rivets. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft with a downward-pointing side clip. The scabbard’s throat is held together by a single side rivet and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the bayonet in place during storage. The aforementioned clip connects to a period original frog, constructed of blackened leather and fastened into a loop for belt suspension. Wrapped around the frog is a Heer NCO’s portepee, constructed of silver aluminum wire and green rayon-blended threading. The portepee consists of a stylized acord suspended from a green rayon-blended strap. The set displays on minor issues consistent with age and use, which includes running marks to the blade, slight loss of paint to the scabbard, and material fatigue to the frog. It is in an overall extremely fine condition.