.Ernst Pack & Söhne Personalized Infantry Variation Etched Bayonet

E. Pack & Söhne Solingen, Siegfried wielding hammer TM. A photograph of this actual personalized bayonet appears on page 15 of German Etched Dress Bayonets 1933-1945 by Wayne H. Techet. Nickel-plated hilt fittings show light surface wear with one spot of wear to the obverse crossguard, but no lifting or peeling to plating. Hilt is complete with original red felt plug in pommel slot. Black bakelite grip plates are perfect with no cracks or chips and feature the off-set grip screws as used by the Pack Firm.

Plated blade measuring 24.4cm in length grades Near MINT showing minor runner marks with no gray shadowing, pitting or nicks to cutting edge, and is complete with brown leather buffer pad. Obverse blade features a 6" long frosted etch panel that appears in the E. Pack & Söhne sales catalog as variation pattern Nr. 6 Infanterie. The etch motif features the standard remembrance of service time inscription, "Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit"" in raised gothic letters flanked on the tip end by raised oak leaves, and adjacent to the ricasso the raised figure of an Infantry soldier in field uniform with helmet and MP38 machine-pistol with oak leaves at his feet. The etched panel retains 100% of the light gray background frosting with superb detail to the Infantry soldier, uniform and machine-pistol weapon. The reverse blade is personalized with the inscription, "Uffz. Kurt Jung 5./I.R.61 1938" (Unteroffizier Kurt Jung 5th Company, Infantry Regiment 61) in gold filled Gothic letters. Letters show minor wear to gilding.

Steel scabbard retains approximately 85% of the original black enamel showing surface wear/crazing, with two minor depressions and a minor split to the lower ball, but no damage to the scabbard shell. Black leather, four-rivet, triple-stitched combat quality frog grades grades Near MINT showing only minor wear/age age with no damage to the stitching. Upper reverse frog is stamped "RFNr (Reichsfabriknummer) 0/0/84/0008".

Research reveals that Infantry Regiment 61 was garrisoned at Munich as part of the 7th Infantry Division. The 7th division fought in the Polish campaign and took part in the 1941 invasion of Russia where it was engaged for the remainder of the war. It was isolated behind Russian lines near the mouth of the Vistula River and surrendered to the Russians on 08 May 1945. Above referenced documentation is included with bayonet. RARE personalized E. Pack example with SCARCE blade etch that could possibly be further researched. EX++ (25910) $2,695.