Germany, Heer. An EM/NCO’s Dress Bayonet, by Ernst Pack & Söhne

(Heer Bajonett). A well-preserved Heer dress bayonet, measuring 34.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 20 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and with a narrow fuller running the majority of the length of the upper edge of each side. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “E. PACK & SÖHNE, topped by the firm’s classic Siegfried logo. It sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated alloy hilt with a hooked quillon, hollow insertion slot with functional push-button spring release, and with an intact black leather buffer pad covering the seam. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite compose the handle grip, and are secured in place with dual magnetic metal rivets. The bayonet is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. A downward-pointing hook emanates from the side of the shaft for the accommodation of a frog. The throat retains a functional catch to firmly hold the bayonet in place during storage, fastened in place with a single side rivet. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks to the blade, sporadic loss of finish to both the hilt and scabbard, and some friction which renders insertion and extraction of the bayonet difficult. It remains in a better than very fine condition.