Germany, Heer. A Dress Bayonet to a Veteran of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99, by Carl Eickhorn

(Heer Bajonett). A very well-preserved Heer commemorative dress bayonet, measuring 350 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 200 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened lower edge, with fullers running down the length of each side. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “ZUR ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT GEBIRGSJÄGER-RGT. 99” (“IN MEMORY OF MY SERVICE TIME GEBIRGSJÄGER-REGIMENT 99”), set within oak leaves and flanked on the left by a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika. A maker’s mark is visible to the reverse ricasso, reading “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, in turn circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within a one-piece nickel-plated zink alloy hilt, the hilt features a hooked quillon and insertion slot retaining a functional spring catch with push-button release. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite comprise the handle grip, secured together with dual visible magnetic metal rivets. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic shaft. A downward-pointing hook emanates from the side of the shaft and connects to a period original frog. Constructed of brown leather, the frog is machine-stitched into a loop for belt attachment. The throat of the scabbard retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the bayonet in place during storage, and is secured together with a single side rivet. While well-preserved, some issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include running marks to the blade, oxidation and loss of finish to the metal elements, and minor fatigue to the leather frog. This unit-attributed piece is in an overall better than very fine condition.