Germany, Luftwaffe. A Commemorative Dress Bayonet, by Alcoso

(Luftwaffe Bajonett). A well-preserved Luftwaffe commemorative dress bayonet, measuring 40 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. A wide fuller runs the majority of length of each side of the blade. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “ZUR ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT” (“IN MEMORY OF MY SERVICE TIME”), flanked on the left by a Stahlhelm and on the right by an early droptail-style Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The reverse of the blade bears a maker’s mark of “ALCOSO, SOLINGEN”, for the former firm of Alexander Coppel, circumscribing the company’s scale logo. The obverse ricasso is stamped with a distributor’s mark of “CHR. SIEBER, PIRMASENS”. It sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated, zink alloy hilt with a hooked quillon and hollow insertion slot retaining 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. Emanating from the side of the shaft is a downward-pointing hook for the accommodation of a frog. The throat retains a functional spring catch 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, loss of nickel plating to the hilt with consequent surface oxidation, and some loss of scabbard paint. It remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.