Soldier's KIT FAQ

Ok guys,

I just got my k-98 Bayonet today with brown bakerlite handles & Waffen scabbard, does anyone have any pics (reenactment or period) that clearly show how to wear this beautiful piece of kit? I take it a frog is essential?



[ 13. February 2004, 04:58 AM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]

 

Looks nice, Bratwurst - I can't find an onlike pic right now ( there must be some ) , but it was worn with a frog.

Originals frequently turn up on Deutsche e-bay....

 

Yep, plenty there, they call 'em Koppelschuh.

 

And then of course you'll need an M34 cleaning kit, grenade launcher with sight and pouch, 7.92 ammo in original boxes, a winter trigger....

How much money did you say you've got...?

 

No problem with not having any cash...thats what the bayonet is for

 

The bayonet is worn behind the left hip with a frog, the eagle should face the front (if you look at the handle the bit that curves under the hand when you hold it is the beak, the round pressy thing (oooh, technical) is the eye, it forms an eagles head). If you have an entrenching tool it attatches to the tools 'holster' (there is a loop on the side of the folding tool cover, with the flat type it is worn between the two belt loops and is strapped to the tool with the tools retaining strap). Here is one image for the flat spade:


One for the folding one:


Hope they help

[ 14. January 2004, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: Stefan ]

 

That's great mate.

Cheers.

 

Brat,

Remember that if you get a folding shovel with carrier you need what is commonly referred to as a "SS" model bayonet frog. The normal contential syle frog will not fit properly with that shovel and carrier.

Just a heads up,

Langemann

 

Langmann, I used a 'continental' style for years, it fit quite comfortably. The only reason I got an 'SS style' one (also known as a 'cavalry style' frog) was because at one event someone tried to take my bayonet from its scabard without asking me first, the new frog is so tight its quite an effort to free it.

 

What the?


Was it a "shoplifting" job or did the guy get a bit agro?

I won't do the spade thing I think...to much gear to carry back to oz!

 

Stefan,

When using the continental style, were you taking the bayonet and putting it through the loop on the side of the folding shovel carrier? If you were, at least with the reproductions and originals I have seen, it should cause a bunching problem. However you can use the continental style quite comfortablly when you do not put it in the shovel carrier loop.

Langemann

 

Thanks for the discussion and pics, gents ! After two years of looking, I've just added a very nice 1944-dated 'spaten' to my collection ( and I don't even re-enact ! )

 

Brat, he just wanted to look at it, people do that from time to time, treat you like a touchy feely exhibit (they do the touchy feely, not us )

Langmann, I was fitting it into the loop and it worked fine. It may have bunched a little bit (tended to push the bayonet forward and the spade backwards) but it wasn't too bad.

Martin, what did you pay for it? I managed to break mine in october, the handle snapped. Luckily it wasn't original but I am keeping my eyes open for a new one.

 

I got it on Deutsche e-bay for 30 Euros ; cheap, but then the postage bumped it up quite a bit.

It doesn't have the leather carrying frame ( I hope to get that separately ) but it has a clear stamp of 'rex 1944' on the blade and is in very nice, clean condition with only light surface rusting.

I was hoping to find one at Beltring but prices for marked ones were high ( around the £45 mark ) and I was very dubious about unmarked examples which look post-war to me....

 

I will have to keep my eyes open, I don't mind having a post war one as mine get a fair bit or use (cutting wood, digging holes, scaring allies, the lot).

 

Bayonet frogs are reasonably easy to get hold of, mine is a repro from Soldier of Fortune (not the magazine) and looks like the real thing when hanging off my belt.

The "cavalry" ones have the strap to hold the handle secure - one less thing to bounce off your kidneys when running.

My spade is Austrian I think (pointed end rather than flat) with a converted NVA leather carrier, once assembled, it can't be distinguished from the normal type.

I haven't added to my collection for some years, and all my kit is currently in storage, but one day.....

 

Just made this a featured topic because its about something that applies to most re-enactors.

Austrian spade, is it the folding or flat type? If it is the folding type then maybe, if its flat then it could be Polish.

 

It's the flat (non-folding) type, I bought it at Bovington some years ago. Wooden handle with the knob on the end. The other difference between it and agerman one is while the German spade is in line with the handle, mine has the handle coming out of the blade at an angle, noticeable whn I'm wearing it with the bayonet.

 

stef,

You appear to have lost your pictures from the website (the one with the bayo layout with kit) any way you could put that back up?

BDS

 

Sorted, thanks for the heads up on that one.