Germany, Heer. A Commemorative Dress Bayonet, by Carl Eickhorn

(Heer Bajonett). A very well-preserved Heer commemorative dress bayonet, measuring 40 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, and with fullers running approximately three-quarters of the length of each side. The obverse of the blade bears an acid-etched inscription of “ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT” (“IN MEMORY OF MY SERVICE TIME”, flanked by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika and a Stahlhelm with oak leaves. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated, non-magnetic metal hilt with a hooked quillon. The pommel features a hollow insertion slot retaining a functional push-button spring release. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite compose the handle grip, and are 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. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, sporadic loss of finish to the hilt, and loss of scabbard paint. The bayonet remains in an overall better than very fine condition.