Short KS/98 Bayonet w/Staghorn Grip, Scarce Single-Etched Blade, Frog & Portepee.Two storks within the circular Robert Klaas and Solingen with a small cross on either side TM. An example of this scarce etch pattern appears on page 233 of German Etched Dress Bayonets 1933-1945 by Wayne H. Techet. Nickel-plated hilt fittings show faint surface wear with minor gray speckling to the pommel and crossguard, but no major loss of plating. Pommel slot is complete with original green felt plug. Dark brown stag horn grip plates are perfect with no cracks or chips. Plated blade measuring 19.1cm in length grades EX++/Near MINT showing faint surface wear/runner marks with no graying, lifting or nicks to cutting edge, and is complete with original brown leather buffer pad. Reverse blade features an etch pattern which appears in the 1938 Robert Klaas sales catalog as "Nr. 1264", with standard remembrance motto, "Zur Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit" within the frosted blade fuller which broadens at the ricasso with raised Klaas "stubby" eagle/swastiks over a helmet. The etched panel retains 100% of the light gray background frosting and is etched, "Ges.Gesch" adjacent to the crossguard. As stated in the above reference, the Klass and Puma firms are the only two companies to use this "patent protection" phrase on their bayonets. The dent-free, steel scabbard retains approximately 98% of the original black enamel showing light surface wear/minor crazing with no damage to the lower ball. The brown leather bayonet frog grades EX++ showing minor wear/age, but no damage to stitching, and is complete with an EX++ solid green (13th Company) portepee. EX++(26045) $695. SOLD