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Prior to Himmler centralizing the German Police forces in
1936, many Police units wore very long bayonets equipped with
a clamshell device. These bayonets were equipped with blades as
long as 18 inches. The obverse stag grip plate was affixed with
a six-sided nickel Police insignia. The hilt was cast in nickel,
having a pommel shape in the form of an eagle head and a quillon
decorated with oak leafing. The scabbard was a black or brown
leather, having matching nickel mounts. Police Officers wore a
private purchase variety which also retained the clamshell device,
but was of smaller overall proportion and was equipped with standard
short blade. The German Customs also wore bayonets with clamshells,
however, they were sans grip insignia.
BAY3RCL - 003 - 18831C
– SHORT POLICE CLAMSHELL – J.A. HENCKELS
This shorter,
scaled down Police clamshell is most likely an Officer’s
example. From what I can gather, mostly enlisted men wore the
longer types. The hilt is a fine solid metal base having choice
nickel plated surfaces. This hilt is the scaled down, smaller
version. The pommel depicts a beautiful, dainty eagle head shown
from the side. This bird has extra chiseling apparent throughout
his eye and feathering on both sides. The cross guard and quillon
area on the obverse reflect overlapping oak leaves. On the reverse
only, the quillon end has the oak leaves and the cross guard area
is left plain. There is a matching proportioned small style clamshell.
This clamshell depicts the Prussian eagle. This bird has half-open
wings and looks to his right. There is lots of detail to be seen
throughout this depiction. The grip plates are a fine, genuine
stag. They have been expertly installed and reflect appealing
brown and tan colors in the grains. The reverse grip has a more
orangey tone to the grains. Both grips, though, have nice golden
antique edges. These plates have been retained with brass rivets
with a dressed head on the obverse and a good attempt at same
on the reverse. The obverse grip plate is fitted with an open
style police insignia. This aluminum insignia has an oval wreath
of oak leaves with an open-winged eagle superimposed over it clutching
a swastika. There is some mild wear to the surfaces of the insignia,
but all details are still there. The scabbard shell is composed
of black leather. This leather still is supple and is in excellent
condition. It is decorated with the twin lines which run down
the edges of both sides and the reverse is sewn up the rear. The
scabbard mounts are the nickel type and they, too, are in excellent
condition. These mounts are retained with staples and they have
scallops where they meet the leather. There is a small proportioned
frog attached to the scabbard. This frog is a black leather type
and is in very choice condition. It has two rivets in the upper
portion which form the belt loop area. These rivets have shiny
black heads and really look great. A very fine frog here! Wrapped
about the frog is what appears to be the original Police troddel.
This troddel is in the special Police tie and appears set in place.
The troddel consists of black leather strapping having three rows
of bullion stitching running the length. The center stitch is
highlighted with red color thread. There is a slide which is of
black thronged leather having bullion and red highlights. The
stem is the flat style having bullion covering and the metal base
can be seen beneath. The lower ball is an oval shape formed of
bullion yarn-like material. The lower insert is the cat’s
anus type, having thread colors of red, white and black. This
troddel is in absolute perfect condition. The blade is a fine
example. It is 10.5 inches in length and has wide fuller construction.
This blade is quite narrow and is unique to Police examples. The
blade is in mint condition. The reverse is stamped with the twins
logo positioned above the firm’s name and location “J.A.
Henckels Solingen”. There is a leather washer in place protecting
this fine blade. An outstanding Officer’s clamshell here
and, also, it is produced by an in-demand, quality maker. A nice
piece for the serious Police collector. Near Mint. $1,695.00
This quality,
heavy example retains fine condition throughout,. The hilt is
produced from solid base metal material, having excellent nickeled
finish. The details to the bird's eye and feathering is excellent.
The quillon has a raised-out oak leaf motif, also finely accomplished.
The reverse area has been left plain with no accountability numbers.
Below the quillon is a matching clamshell device. It has fine
detail to the depiction of the Prussian eagle. The grip is a genuine
stag example. These plates have great-looking, rich-colored brown
grains complimented with the golden tones taken on by the edges
and shaved points of the plates. Beautiful work here. The grip
plates are retained by aluminum rivets, having dressed heads on
both sides. The obverse grip has an aluminum, open-style Police
eagle with swastika within a wreath. There is little wear to the
eagle insignia. The long scabbard shell is made of black leather.
It shows little age, having the twin decorative lines which run
down the edges. The scabbard is fitted with nickel mounts, both
of which are retained with staples. The edges of the mounts are
scalloped. There is a fine quality black leather scabbard in choice
condition. It looks original to this piece and is lightly maker-marked
at the top reverse. In the center area is stamped, "Fl.
Horst II, which tends to tie this frog into a Luftwaffe function
- a Fliegerhorst is an airport. Perhaps this Policeman
owner was assigned to duty at an airport working under the Luftwaffe.
There is a fine Police troddel attached to the frog. It features
black leather strapping having four stitch rows of bullion and
two rows of red stitching in the center. The slide matches the
strapping. The stem is the flat crochet-like type. The lower acorn
is a bullion yarn with alternating green yarn fabric. The cat's
anus insert is made of green fabric. The long unmarked 17 inch
blade is fantastic. It is quality all the way, having pristine
nickel surfaces and easily rating a full mint. It has a medium
fuller which stops well before the blade tip area. The leather
blade washer is in place. A choice example easily as good as the
one shown on Page 92 of the Weinand Clamshell Book. As nice as
they come. Near Mint (18833) $1695.00