by No1Mk3 » 28 Oct 2017, 3:30 pm
Freakish? OK, sorta fits. I have been collecting bayonets for as long as rifles, so this one I can help with. What you have, darwindingo, is a WW2 German bayonet, designation S84/98 III, for the Mauser K98k rifle. It was made by Elite Diamantwerke AG, of Siegmar-Schonau bei Chemnitz. The "37" on the spine is the year of manufacture, 1937. The serial number, 5572, should have a letter under it, but may not. The reason is bayonets were made in 10000 unit lots, with a letter for each block, if yours does not have a block letter under the serial then it was in the first 10000 made in that year. Having a matching scabbard is not that common, and increases the value considerably, in good condition around $250, After 1940, all German arms makers moved to a letter code ID, mostly 3 letter, such as asw for E&F Horster. Elite Diamant were very unusual in that they had a single letter code, i. Before the war the company made bicycles, including world championship winning models, and are still in business today making bicycles, Cheers.