Germany, Heer. A Dress Bayonet, by E. & F. Hörster

(Heer Bajonett). An extremely well-preserved Heer dress bayonet, measuring 40 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. A fuller runs the majority of the length of the upper edge of each side of the blade. The obverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “E. U. F. HÖRSTER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s monogram logo. It sits securely within a nickel-plated hilt with hook quillon and pommel, functional insertion slot with push-button spring release and original red wool liner, and with an intact buffer pad covering the seam. Two pieces of pebbled black bakelite compose the handle grip, and are secured together with dual 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 former is included and consists of heavy panels of blackened leather, stitched into a loop for belt suspension. Wrapped around the frog is a mis-matched portepee consisting of a stylized silver-grey threaded acorn with a blue and yellow threaded cupule and stem, respectively, suspended from a silver-grey embroidered cord. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the bayonet in place during storage. The blade demonstrates faint running marks, while moderate material fatigue is visible to the frog, but the bayonet remains in an overall extremely fine condition.