*German, WW2 - Dated 1942, K98 (Seitengewehr 84/98 III) Mauser Bayonet & Scabbard, Matching Numbers by E. & F. Hörster “asw 42” & British Pattern 1937 Webbing Frog*
A very good and honest example of a German Second World War K98 Mauser bayonet, manufactured in 1942 by the Solingen maker E. & F. Hörster, complete with its matching-number steel scabbard and accompanied by a British Pattern 1937 webbing frog, suggesting wartime capture.
The bayonet is of the standard Seitengewehr 84/98 III pattern issued with the Karabiner 98k rifle, the principal service rifle of the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. The blade ricasso is clearly marked “asw 42”, the wartime maker code used by E. & F. Hörster of Solingen, one of the major German producers of bayonets and edged weapons throughout WW2. The obverse side carries the serial number 7686 e. Both the serial number and makers code are repeated on the throat of the steel scabbard, confirming the piece as a matching numbered set. The pommel features the Waffenamt acceptance stamp WaA519, a specific military inspection mark confirming production by the firm E. & F. Hörster of Solingen during the mid-to-late wartime period. The bayonet retains its original black phenolic resin grip plates secured by the correct screws, and the push-button release mechanism remains present within the pommel. The blade retains much of its original wartime finish with visible cross-grain polishing still apparent. The form is the typical single-edged spear-point blade associated with the S84/98 pattern.
The steel scabbard retains its original form. The finish shows expected age-related oxidation and surface wear but remains structurally sound with the ball finial intact.
Accompanying the bayonet is a British Pattern 1937 webbing bayonet frog, constructed from khaki cotton webbing. While not of German manufacture, such combinations are commonly encountered and reflect the wartime practice of both German and Allied soldiers reusing captured equipment, with bayonets and webbing frequently mixed in the field.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 25.5 cm. Overall length: 39 cm.
History Note:
The Seitengewehr 84/98 III was the standard bayonet issued to German infantry equipped with the Karabiner 98k rifle throughout the Second World War. Produced in very large numbers by Solingen manufacturers, the bayonet became one of the most recognisable German edged weapons of the period.
The maker code “asw” was assigned to E. & F. Hörster, a major Solingen firm that supplied bayonets, daggers and other edged weapons to the German military during the war. Bayonets bearing wartime maker codes rather than full maker names were introduced as part of the German armaments coding system used from the late 1930s onwards.
*Condition*
The bayonet remains in good overall condition for its age. The blade retains much of its original finish with light staining and minor age wear visible. The grip plates are intact and secure. The pommel and fittings show honest service wear and patination consistent with age. The scabbard shows surface oxidation and wear to the finish but remains structurally solid and retains the matching serial number to the bayonet. The accompanying British webbing frog shows typical service wear and age-related fading, with minor fraying and small tears to the webbing. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQFOXAFO_299513122025
