Odd Marking on Ricasso
- Thread starter Nevada K98 Collector
- Start date
I don't know what it means but I have a couple of pieces that are similarly marked and have been collecting data for other examples that I have observed. Interesting timing as I have been contemplating a thread here about these markings, It is not a Portuguese Contract related marking. The dates and makers of the bayonets observed with this type of marking rule this out.
Do you have the serial number and date for the Berg in your OP? If so, would like to add to the spreadsheet. Many thanks in advance .....
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
Hey Slash, good to hear from you. The serial number is 5949 i-block, and 1938 year of production.
grimlin13
Senior Member
If this bayonet is in your possession, please do me (and yourself) a favor, wipe those fingerprints off the blade and anywhere else you have touched it. Then apply a thin coat of gun oil to all metal surfaces. The reason is, there are acids in the oils from your fingers and hands that will permanently etch the blue, it doesn`t take long. If left unattended to it can actually cause corrosion. Try to wear some type of gloves (cotton or nitrile) when handling your bayonets.
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
I do everything as mentioned above in your statement, but this isn’t my bayonet, it’s a friend of mine who asked me recently what that marking is. But yes, it’s looks pretty rough and does need some better care I do agree with you for sure
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
So what do I have here Slash?
grimlin13
Senior Member
Slash is a very busy man. It may take him a while to answer, or maybe not. I have been waiting for some time on some info/post on a Ks98 dress bayonet that is longer than usual that I informed him of. It is good that he was contemplating on posting a thread on those markings. You may not have to wait too long. I only hope I don`t kick the bucket before I find out what he has discovered about that Ks98.
Just kiddin bud!
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
Haha! I hear ya man, and I’m in no hurry for waiting for the answer from Slash. He’s a good guy
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
So
So do you think that this bayonet was reversed by the Norwegians and reblued?
grimlin13
Senior Member
Andy also said it could have been a refurbishment by the Germans. This would have been done pre 1945.
Several of us have S84/98 III bayonets that were German refurbished. They have numbers or a single digit stamped in various places on the bayonet and/or parts.
Several of us have S84/98 III bayonets that were German refurbished. They have numbers or a single digit stamped in various places on the bayonet and/or parts.
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AndyB
Senior Member
Normally i would think with combination of letter and number for postwar refurbishment, but we should see details of blade, handle blueing here, its matching with scabbard? how its marked on scabbard? This could be only inventory stamp of some country postwar reused, even not refurbished, for this we should see detailed well done pictures wout flash on one color neutral background.
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
Nevada K98 Collector
Active member
Ok, so it’s most likely a non-refurnished Norwegian reissue correct?
Again, I'm not sure. Have several of these recorded and they are fairly consistent as far as the markings and location, etc. The OP's example posted here is no exception (and thanks for the additional pics). The bayonets that I own or have observed with these markings appear to be all pre-May 1945 German. Some are very early and like most pre-war examples were refurbished by the Germans at some point. I do not see signs of post war Norwegian modification to these pieces. I am familiar with the stampings mentioned by Andrej that are often encountered stamped to the flat face of the frog hanging hook. The markings discussed here however are not of this type. The markings could well be German applied at the local or unit level as an additional issue or "rack" number. I do not feel they are assembly or "bench" numbers associated with a German refurbishment. Assembly numbering during refurbishment was generally applied only to the smaller components, often internal; not to the external bayonet and scabbard. There are exceptions however to almost every rule when it comes to this hobby. Especially considering the millions of S84/98 manufactured between 1934 and 1945. I will pull what information I have together and try to make an intelligent thread for further discussion.
On another note ..... have not forgotten you @grimlin13 regarding the unusual KS98
AndyB
Senior Member
Could be too like mentioned by Slash that germans add there the rack number here, but maybe owner could help where the bayonet was found?, i could only report that similar bunch of serials were reported by norwegian members some years ago, so the possibility exist it was done too by other country.
