Germany, Imperial. A Private Purchase Officer's Close Combat Bayonet

This bayonet features a construction that incorporates both the blade and the handle as one piece, in a nickel-plated steel, magnetic, with a very reflective finish, a semi-sharp edge and a very sharp tip, the fuller running almost the full length of the bayonet on both sides, maker marked with a King's Head side-by-side with a Knight's Head above "W.K. &c C." (Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Company of Solingen) on the reverse ricasso. The blade rises up to form an integral crossguard that is stamped with a partial crown mark on its reverse, the adjoining handle with black leather plates embedded onto either side to form the grip, both of which exhibit a thatched-look and are secured in place via two rivets. The pommel incorporates a spring-loaded tab that is secured in place via a large screw, the pommel stamped "7883" on its reverse, the bayonet measuring 348 mm in length. The bayonet is housed in its black leather-wrapped scabbard, the stitched seam visible on the reverse, both the locket and chape in magnetic steel, the locket secured in place via staples on either side and featuring a side compartment with a release tab at the top and secured in place via a screw at the side towards the bottom, the chape finished in a ball finial and secured via staples on either side, the scabbard measuring 245 in length. The blade exhibits light scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, the leather plates forming the grip with some wear, the steel of the handle and pommel with contact marks and wear present from active use. Fine.