K98 Bayonets

K98 Bayonets

The K98 bayonet is a version of the standard bayonet, designed to be mounted on or under a rifle barrel. Many of the original German K98s are still in circulation, complete with their original matching scabbards and frogs. Some K98 bayonets are part of limited productions and thus marked with serial numbers.

What are some features of the bayonet?

This bayonet was made to fit a standard German K-98 Mauser rifle. As such, it contains many of the features that infantrymen of that era would have used in the field.

  • It has a blade measuring over nine inches in length. If the bayonet is attached to the underside of a rifle barrel, it provides a longer reach to keep your opponent at bay.
  • Textured wooden grips help you keep a firm hold on the weapon. It can be used as a standalone knife, unattached to the firearm.
  • Although many bayonets, including the German K98 model, would often have a grooved fuller, sometimes called a "blood groove," this was primarily an aspect of aesthetics and weight reduction.
  • The scabbard and the attachment that allowed it to be carried on the belt were two separate things. The belt connector is colloquially known as a frog.
How do you maintain a bayonet?

As many German K-98s are vintage, it is important for you to know how to properly care for and maintain these weapons.

  • Check the mechanisms that allow you to mount the K98 bayonet. You should make sure they work securely, even if you do not intend to attach it to a firearm.
  • If you plan to store your K98 bayonet in its scabbard long-term, apply a light coating of mineral oil to both sides of the blade. The thin film will act as a protective barrier against rust and other issues.
  • If you are using the bayonet as a multipurpose tool for daily tasks, be sure to keep it sharp, as it will cut more effectively and create less overall wear on the bayonet.
In what other ways can you use a bayonet?

All bayonets, and particularly those like the K98 made during the WWII era, were designed to not only be close-quarters fighting weapons but general utility tools as well. In this way, they filled several roles for each soldier while keeping the weight of his pack to a minimum. You can use your K98 for various day-to-day tasks, thus increasing its versatility.

  • Although not strictly a hunting tool, your K98 can serve as a hunting knife.
  • Because of its thick stock and long reach, it can serve as a makeshift pry bar in an emergency.
  • The K98 bayonet can also be used as a digging tool, as many were originally designed to be used as trowels in the field.