RARE Long Gilt Third Reich Police Clamshell Bayonet. Carl Eickhorn Solingen, serrated tail squirrel over C.E. within double-oval TM. As described and pictured on page 148 of Seitengewehr: History of the German Bayonet 1919-1945 by George T. Wheeler, "The gilt bayonets were worn by the Landjägerei, Gemeindepolizei, and Kommunalpolizei to match their gold insignia". Color photographs of gilt police bayonets appear on pages 151and 156 of German Clamshells AND Other Bayonets by Gary L. Walker and R. J. Weinand. Gilded brass hilt fittings show minor surface wear to the highlights with much gilding remaining in the recesses of the superbly-detailed, Polizei pattern eagle head pommel, oak leaf embellished crossguard, and clamshell with raised Weimar pattern eagle. Light brown stag horn grip plates are perfect with no cracks or chips properly with Third Reich Polizei eagle pinned to the obverse plate. Unaltered, plated blade measuring 42.6cm in length, with no evidence of having been cut-down, grades Near MINT, showing only faint runner marks with no lifting or crazing to plating and no nicks to the cutting edge nor damage to the blade tip. Blade is complete with light brown buffer pad. Black leather scabbard shows light surface wear with "nips" to obverse/reverse leather and one minor crease on the center obverse but, no rips, tears, or damage to the reverse stitching. Upper and lower gilded brass scabbard fittings, with both scabbard retaining staples present, show minor surface wear/age patina with a small depression to the left edge of the upper and to the obverse/reverse lower fitting but, no damage to the lower ball. Superb example of a RARE gilt Police Bayonet with unaltered, Near MINT blade. EX++ (26685) $2,450. SOLD