I am not a bayonet collector these days (I was many years ago) and my first ever K98 bayonet was about 40 years ago and I think I paid about £15 back then. About 25 years ago I offloaded all my bayonets and in retrospect think it was a huge error and I was the loser!

However, as part of the often mentioned background to my collection of badges and awards along with helmets, belts etc I have a few bayonets so I always have a quick look whenever I see them.

Today I passed a local antique shop (he calls it a gallery:rolleyes: ) and I saw this early Eichorn bayonet in a Herder scabbard which was begging me to bring it home. I had a look and the price was good at £89 and I even qot a bit of a discount by using the right "collectors banter". Overall condition is good and the blade which has not been sharpened has only light pitting. The finish on the scabbard is brown rather than blue.

I am sure competent bayonet collectors know this but for those with just a passing interest; This is an early item because it has maker names rather than codes which have year of manufacture appended (in this case 39 = 1939) plus the year is stamped on the spine of the blade as well.

I know purists like to see matching bayonet and scabbard but this makes absolutely no difference to authenticity and as an old soldier I can fully appreciate that once issued the chances of bayonet and scabbard never being separated especially in the field are ridiculously slight, just like the two halves of a mess kit.

Anyway, I show this for comparison and I hope you like it;

I forgot to photograph the makers name on the scabbard but it is; F Herder ASN 39

Regards

Mark