by: neelyja

Description: This German ersatz bayonet is Carter’s (1976:32) Type E-50 and has survived in excellent condition. It is mounted with an unfullered blade that measures 308 mm in length. According to Carter (1976:32) this bayonet with the unfullered blade: “… is much rarer than the fullered variety” (i.e., Type E-49). The blade remains in superb condition, with only some very minor stains. The blade has three proof stampings: two on the spine (one defaced and unreadable 2 mm in front of the crosspiece; the second is 14 mm above the crosspiece and appears to be a composite of three letters: a “D” over what may be a “C” blended into an “R”). The third stamping is a very small one centered on the right ricasso (same side as the lock button) 10 mm above the crosspiece: it appears to be a crown over a gothic intertwined “F” and “A”. This latter ricasso stamp may represent the cipher used by König (King) Friedrich August III (1904-1918) of Saxony (Sachsen). The steel hilt also remains in very good condition with the spring lock for the bayonet stud in good working order. A few flecks of green paint are present in the grooves of the handle and on the crosspiece. The crosspiece is stamped twice on the left side and facing the blade: a “Z” is present paralleling the center of the blade while an “N” is stamped nearly perpendicular to the top of the blade. The metal scabbard (Carter’s [1976:58] scabbard Type-5) has only minor scuffing; it remains in near excellent condition with much of its original green paint still present. The leather frog (probably not original to this bayonet as it had a handle retaining strap [a WWII characteristic], which has been cut off) is in poor condition. Overall the bayonet and scabbard measure 444 mm in length, and its overall condition is excellent!!!

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