Germany, Feuerschutzpolizei. An NCO’s Commemorative Dress Bayonet, by Rudolf Büchel

(Feuerschutzpolize Bajonett). A well-preserved Feuerschutzpolizei NCO’s 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. Each side of the blade has a wide fuller which runs the majority of the length of the top edge. It is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso reading “RUDOLF BÜCHEL, SOLINGEN-MERSCHEID”, situated beneath the firm’s logo. The blade sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated, non-magnetic metal alloy hilt with hooked quillons. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite, secured together with dual non-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. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, loss of finish to the nickel the hilt with minor surface oxidation which has spilled onto the bakelite grip, and minor loss of scabbard paint. It remains in an overall better than very fine condition.