Rare Short Third Reich Customs Official Clamshell Bayonet.Clemen and Jung, Solingen 2-line inscription TM. This rare bayonet was recently obtained in Austria and matches exactly the photograph on page 191 of Seitengewehre: History of the German Bayonet 1919-1945 by George T. Wheeler. Nickel-plated hilt fittings show only faint surface wear with no loss or plating to the superbly-detailed eagle head pommel, oak leaf embellished crossguard and clamshell with Weimar eagle. Dark brown stag horn grip plates show only minor surface wear with no cracks or chips. As is correct for the customs bayonet, there is no grip emblem attached to the obverse grip plate and no evidence that one was ever present. Plated blade grades exc/exc+ showing light surface wear/runner marks, some light gray speckling near upper spine, several nicks to the cutting edge, and some dulling to the tip of blade. Blade is complete with original brown leather blade buffer pad. Black leather scabbard shows only faint surface with no creases, rips, tears or damage to the reverse stitching. Nickel-plated scabbard fittings show light surface wear/age and are complete with both retaining staples and no damage to the lower ball. Bayonet is complete with exc+ black leather frog with no damage to the double stitching. Rare, untouched clamshell Customs bayonet. (26497) $1,350.HOLD