Germany, Luftwaffe. A Fliegertruppe Commemorative Service Bayonet, by Carl Eickhorn

(Luftwaffe Bajonett). A well-preserved Fliegertruppe commemorative service bayonet, measuring 39.5 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. A wide fuller runs the majority of the length of the top edge of each side of the blade. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “ZUR ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT BEI DER FLIEGERTRUPPE” (“IN MEMORY OF MY SERVICE TIME WITH THE FLYING TROOPS”), flanked on both sides by oak leaves, one the left by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, and on the right by a Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. It sits securely within a one-piece nickel-plated alloy hilt with a hooked quillon and hollow insertion slot with 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. Some issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks to the blade, minor loss of finish to the nickel plated features, and loss of finish throughout the scabbard resulting in minor surface oxidation. This interesting, dedicated commemorative bayonet is in a better than very fine condition.