Overview
1940 Clemen & Jung bayonet. The "cqh" is one of two marking methods used by Clemen & Jung in 1940. Also "40" is stamped on the side of the blade near the base.
In 1935 the German military introduced the K98k bolt action rifle or Karabiner 98 Kurz, as a replacement for the older GEW98 or Gewehr 98. A new, shorter bayonet was designed to go along with the shortened rifle. The K98 bayonet was officially named Seitengewehr 84/98 III or SG 84/98 III. The bayonet was designed as a close combat sidearm that could be placed on the tip of a K98.
The total length of the K98 bayonet was 15.2 inches, far shorter than the 20 inch long GEW98 bayonet. The blade was also straighter in shape and the hand guard was omitted. The K98 bayonet was carried in a leather frog, or Seitengewehrtragetasche, on the left side on the equipment belt in combination with the shovel and its carrier.
Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: 5448 and cqh 40
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: red bakelite
The blade bears the serial number 5448. The pommel is Waffenamt marked and he blade ricasso is also marked with German three letter code cqh 40 indicating 1940 manufacture by the well-known maker Clemen & Jung of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Eastern Germany.
Has some scratches and light oxidation, otherwise good condition for a knife thats 85 years old!