Germany, HJ. A 1942 Wachgefolgschaft Dress Bayonet, by Carl Eickhorn

(HJ Bajonett). An extremely well-preserved HJ Wachgefolgschaft dress bayonet, measuring 405 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 250 mm-long polished magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened lower edge. A fuller runs the length of each side of the blade. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “H.J. WACHGEFOLGSCHAFT”, while the reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the company’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within a one-piece silver plated non-ferrous metal hilt, with an intact brown leather buffer pad covering the seam. The hilt features a hooked quillon and insertion slot retaining an original green wool liner. A functional spring catch with push-button release is set into the slot. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite compose the handle grip, secured together with two visible magnetic metal rivets. Inset into the obverse of the handle is an enameled HJ insignia, measuring 15 mm (w) x 25 mm (h). It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. The exterior bears a downward-pointing hook, connecting to an original black leather frog, stitched into a loop for belt suspension. The throat of the scabbard retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the bayonet in place during storage, and is held together with a single side rivet. Minor issues consistent with age are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, chipping the handle insignia, and wear of the leather frog. The bayonet is in an overall near extremely fine condition.