The mission of ground troops is to “close in on the enemy and destroy him”. Throughout history, edged weapons have been the primary tool for accomplishing this mission. With the advent of muskets and rifles in warfare, soldiers quickly discovered the advantage of attaching a cold weapon, the bayonet, to these firearms. Today, bayonets and close combat knives (also called “trench knives”) are the only two major sharp weapons in the inventory of modern tools of warfare. In hand-to-hand combat, the bayonet or knife is still the most formidable weapon.
Field Exercise 1936. Note the bayonet hanging in the scabbard. This model is a field bayonet with a standard wooden handle.
Many military experts believe that even during an atomic war, surviving ground troops would still have to climb out of their trenches to engage and destroy the enemy, perhaps with a bayonet or knife. Little change has been made to the design of bayonets throughout the history of their use.
The models carried in World Wars I and II are similar to those produced today; and it is doubtful that any radical changes will be made in the patterns used in the next century.
The bayonets of the Third Reich fall into two main categories: those designed for field or combat use, and those designed solely for traditional wear with ceremonial dress uniforms in parades and ceremonies. It is difficult to determine which of the two categories specific details or features belong to, as the field model is easily distinguished from the nickel-plated, ceremonial examples. German battle bayonets were made in various lengths depending on the period of manufacture. Longer models were from the World War I period, while shorter models were of later assembly.
Three variants of the Wehrmacht parade bayonet. All models were nickel-plated and could be purchased with etched blades.
Many of the bayonets used by the Wehrmacht during World War II were made before World War I and then during the intervening period before the rise of the Third Reich. The bayonet produced for the German Model 98 rifle was of standard length and was the most common model produced during World War II. They were made with handles made of wood or plastic. Parade bayonets were always nickel-plated and were purchased by the individual, not the Reich government. They could be bought with two different blade lengths (about 18 cm or 22 cm) and with handles made of checkered black plastic. It was also possible to buy a ceremonial bayonet with a hilt made of deer antler, this model was more expensive and less common.
Variants of such bayonets are presented below.
A parade long bayonet from the Third Reich period.Example of a hilt with a deer antler. A shortened bayonet from the Third Reich period.A rare example of a shortened bayonet with suspension and leather loop on the scabbard. The blade is engraved.
Various types of etchings were available for nickel-plated blades at an additional cost, and they are by no means uncommon today. Most soldiers who ordered an etched blade chose to have their unit inscribed “In Memory of My Period of Service”. Many designs featured typical battle scenes of infantry, cavalry, or Air Force in action. Since parade bayonets were often given as awards for outstanding marksmanship or military service, they are not uncommon.
An example of an honorary bayonet awarded to members of the Armed Forces who have demonstrated outstanding skill or military prowess. Usually awarded with a signed blade depicting either the soldier’s specific achievement, his time in service.
All Wehrmacht and Party units authorized to wear ceremonial bayonets wore standard models, with the exception of the police, fire department, customs service, and ordinary members of the diplomatic service. These organizations had their own distinctive features. Sophisticated police bayonets were already being worn before 1930. After the Nazis came to power, the design was changed. This change was due to the replacement of the emblem on the handle with a new police emblem of an eagle holding a swastika. Also, the Weimar Republic eagle shield was removed from the design on the crossguard. Police parade bayonets were made in two sizes with antler handles. The design of both models was identical, but only the larger one could be attached to a rifle. Both models were nickel-plated, but unlike the Wehrmacht bayonets, the scabbards for the police bayonets were brown or black leather with metal fittings on both ends. The police had black leather and the gendarmerie had brown leather.
Police bayonets with deer antler handles. The smaller model on the left was for parade wear. The model on the right was a duty or service bayonet and was equipped with a slot for attaching to a rifle.
The fire department parade bayonet was identical to the standard Wehrmacht models, except for the curved cross, which had a continuation. They were available in two lengths, and a saw blade could be ordered if desired. On special occasions, a fire axe was often worn instead of a bayonet. The Customs Service wore parade bayonets similar to the police models, with deer handles and leather scabbards. Virtually every Wehrmacht soldier and pilot acquired a parade bayonet, so these items are available in large numbers for modern collectors.
The bayonets were carried by official members of the fire department. It was the only organization that allowed a model with a crossguard on either side of the handle. It was available in various lengths, with and without saw teeth.
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One of the strongest opponents of the European saber in hand-to-hand combat was undoubtedly the Turkish yatagan. This colorful weapon with a tibia hilt and a reverse-curved blade is memorable to anyone who has ever seen it. It is considered a true symbol of the Ottoman Empire: the Janissary Corps, the stronghold of the throne …
The standard Luftwaffe dirk of the second model had a steel blade and a length of 25.5 to 26.5 cm. The head and cross were made of cast aluminum or alloy, some can be found with an anodized finish. In the center of the head was a gilded swastika surrounded by oak leaves. The color …
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Bayonets of the Third Reich.
The mission of ground troops is to “close in on the enemy and destroy him”. Throughout history, edged weapons have been the primary tool for accomplishing this mission. With the advent of muskets and rifles in warfare, soldiers quickly discovered the advantage of attaching a cold weapon, the bayonet, to these firearms. Today, bayonets and close combat knives (also called “trench knives”) are the only two major sharp weapons in the inventory of modern tools of warfare. In hand-to-hand combat, the bayonet or knife is still the most formidable weapon.
Many military experts believe that even during an atomic war, surviving ground troops would still have to climb out of their trenches to engage and destroy the enemy, perhaps with a bayonet or knife. Little change has been made to the design of bayonets throughout the history of their use.
The models carried in World Wars I and II are similar to those produced today; and it is doubtful that any radical changes will be made in the patterns used in the next century.
The bayonets of the Third Reich fall into two main categories: those designed for field or combat use, and those designed solely for traditional wear with ceremonial dress uniforms in parades and ceremonies. It is difficult to determine which of the two categories specific details or features belong to, as the field model is easily distinguished from the nickel-plated, ceremonial examples. German battle bayonets were made in various lengths depending on the period of manufacture. Longer models were from the World War I period, while shorter models were of later assembly.
Many of the bayonets used by the Wehrmacht during World War II were made before World War I and then during the intervening period before the rise of the Third Reich. The bayonet produced for the German Model 98 rifle was of standard length and was the most common model produced during World War II. They were made with handles made of wood or plastic. Parade bayonets were always nickel-plated and were purchased by the individual, not the Reich government. They could be bought with two different blade lengths (about 18 cm or 22 cm) and with handles made of checkered black plastic. It was also possible to buy a ceremonial bayonet with a hilt made of deer antler, this model was more expensive and less common.
Variants of such bayonets are presented below.
Various types of etchings were available for nickel-plated blades at an additional cost, and they are by no means uncommon today. Most soldiers who ordered an etched blade chose to have their unit inscribed “In Memory of My Period of Service”. Many designs featured typical battle scenes of infantry, cavalry, or Air Force in action. Since parade bayonets were often given as awards for outstanding marksmanship or military service, they are not uncommon.
All Wehrmacht and Party units authorized to wear ceremonial bayonets wore standard models, with the exception of the police, fire department, customs service, and ordinary members of the diplomatic service. These organizations had their own distinctive features. Sophisticated police bayonets were already being worn before 1930. After the Nazis came to power, the design was changed. This change was due to the replacement of the emblem on the handle with a new police emblem of an eagle holding a swastika. Also, the Weimar Republic eagle shield was removed from the design on the crossguard. Police parade bayonets were made in two sizes with antler handles. The design of both models was identical, but only the larger one could be attached to a rifle. Both models were nickel-plated, but unlike the Wehrmacht bayonets, the scabbards for the police bayonets were brown or black leather with metal fittings on both ends. The police had black leather and the gendarmerie had brown leather.
The fire department parade bayonet was identical to the standard Wehrmacht models, except for the curved cross, which had a continuation. They were available in two lengths, and a saw blade could be ordered if desired. On special occasions, a fire axe was often worn instead of a bayonet. The Customs Service wore parade bayonets similar to the police models, with deer handles and leather scabbards. Virtually every Wehrmacht soldier and pilot acquired a parade bayonet, so these items are available in large numbers for modern collectors.
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