*WW2 German Rural Police Parade Dagger/Bayonet and Brown Scabbard by Eickhorn Solingen*
This is a superb find. A 13″ blade with the makers mark engraved on the ricasso “Original Eickhorn Solingen” and a wide fuller. This dagger/bayonet has the large proportion hilt, which is equipped with a mortise and rifle slot at the pommel. The pommel is decorated with engraved feathering and shows nice detail. The crossguard/quillon has raised, overlapping, oak leaves on the obverse. On the reverse, the crossguard area is plain, suggesting that this was an officers piece which would not have had property numbers. The stag grip plates are retained by two rivets on the obverse. On the grip the police insignia of an oval wreath of oak leaves with an open winged eagle superimposed. The eagle grasps a wreathed swastika in his talons. The scabbard is brown with nickel mounts.
After Hitler came to power, the Police organizations were centralized under the guidance of SS-Reichsführer Himmler. The previous sidearm, a very long bayonet with clamshell addition, was altered to suit the newly formed Police. The new weapon was reworked and reissued – the blade length was reduced to 13 inches, the clamshell was removed, the grip was shortened, and the new 3rd Reich Police grip insignia replaced the Weimar six-sided grip insignia. Since adequate numbers of reworked bayonets were available, few newly produced weapons were required. The weapon’s hilt consisted of a nickel eaglehead pommel, oak-leafed quillon, and stag grip plates with Police insignia on obverse. The scabbard was black or brown leather with matching nickel mounts.
*Condition*
This dagger/bayonet is in excellent condition with a clear makers mark and good detailing to the hilt and pommel. There are minor signs of pitting and wear and tear to the grip, primarily along the tang. The mortise button works well. The blade is in excellent condition with no pitting or nicks. The scabbard fits firmly and draws well and is in good condition with some minor signs of wear and tear. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RMQDEOXGEO_5229122972
