Volunteer Fire Department forces were permitted to wear a special dress bayonet. It was similar to the K-98 Dress Bayonet, except there are two quillons in the crossguard design instead of only one. The left example sweeps upward, while the right example sweeps downward. There is no rifle mounting slot provision in the hilt. The checkered Bakelite grip plates, blade, scabbard and carrying frog are identical to that of the K-98 Dress Bayonet. The bayonet was available in short, long or with a saw back blade.
The Fire Official's dirk was a very long weapon worn by volunteer and professional Fire Officers. The Dirk was worn beginning about 1850 and continued through the 3rd Reich period in the same basic configuration. It is one of the few examples which did not incorporate a swastika in the design. Most examples approached 20 inches in length, while some Imperial pieces were even longer. The hilts were usually composed of silvered nickel base metal. The pommel was normally a round shape, with crossguard center block often featuring crossed axes. The crossguard arms extended to quillon ends in the shape of spear points or clover leaves. The grip was wire-wrapped black celluloid or black leather over wood base. The scabbard shell was produced of black leather with three, line-decorated mounts. The upper two mounts were equipped with hanging rings. The long blade was double-etched depicting floral designs mixed with fire scenes and equipment.
While German fireman often used axes for practical purposes in the course of their duties, their organization also had dress versions which were used for parade and presentations. These dress axes can run the gamut from simple polished nickel heads with black or brown wood handles to most elaborately etched, gold embellished beauties, some equipped with fluted ebony or even genuine ivory handles, presentation plates and beautiful lower escutcheon decorations. Senior examples were even finished in gold! They are truly magnificent pieces and worthy of a place in any collection.
FIRE #47987AC Long Fireman Bayonet By E. & F. Hörster
This fireman’s bayonet has an outstanding nickel plated hilt.
The black checkered Bakelite grip plates are in perfect condition and are retained by steel rivets with dressed heads.
The scabbard is a very nice example being completely straight and the paint, while showing some attic crazing, is intact. The scabbard is equipped with a nearly mint black leather frog.
The long blade is as nice as you will see, with a wide fuller and high quality nickel plating. The obverse is stamped with the Hörster HHS trademark. The original leather blade washer is in place.
A fine example here.
Near Mint. $250.00
FIRE #46176 Long Fireman Bayonet
The plating of this example shows some age freckling under the surfaces.
The black checkered Bakelite grip plates are in good condition and are retained by steel rivets with dressed obverse heads.
The scabbard remains straight but unfortunately has damage to the paint. The attached leather frog, however, remains in fine condition.
The long blade has high quality nickel plating and remains nearly mint, with a wide fuller. The original leather buffer is in place.
A decent fireman’s bayonet here.
Good Minus. $115.00
FIRE #46182 Long Late Fireman Bayonet with Simulated Stag Grip No Maker
The plating on this example is the later chromelike plating that we see on pieces made during the war. The plating remains in perfect condition and is still nice and bright. It shows some mild usage signs but nothing bad.
Instead of the normal black checkered grips this example is equipped with a simulated stag grip. These simulated stag grips were made to replace originals that were not available when ordered after the war started. The simulated tag is very beautifully be done and coil;d easily be mistaken for the real deal without a close look. Bayonets with any kind of a grip other than the standard black checkered Bakelite are extremely rare.
The long style scabbard has very fine original bright paint which is just about in full mint condition. There is one small ding to the center obverse of the scabbard but it is not bad.
The long style blade is the type with wide fuller. It too has the later type of plating but it remains in perfect mint condition. The unmarked blade is buffered by a fine brown leather washer.
A very rarely seen piece and perfect for those of you out there that are collecting fire department types.
Near Mint. $495.00
FIRE #46185 Fireman Long Saw-back Bayonet No Maker
This fireman’s bayonet is unmarked and it seems to be a bit different than normal fireman’s bayonets as the pommel section of the bayonet is just slightly longer than norm. It gives it a rather interesting look which will be noticeable right away by you guys that are used to looking at hilts.
The nickel plating is still in excellent condition showing only the most modest of usage.
The scabbard is also interesting as it is a long model and instead of the usual black paint it has a blued finish. The bluing is still all there and also has quite a bit of lacquer spread around the surfaces. The scabbard is in perfect condition except for one tiny ding on the reverse lower area but it is nothing. I don’t remember ever seeing a blued fireman’s scabbard so in addition to the longer pommel this must be a very small producer who stressed quality.
The long blade still has all of its plating and of course is equipped with the nasty swa-back at the top. I noticed on the reverse side someone tried to sharpen it. The original blade washer is gone to time.
A pretty neat saw-back here.
Excellent Plus. $595.00
FIRE #45670 Fireman’s Long Sawback Bayonet Solingen
This bayonet has a very fine nickel hilt on it showing very little age. The black checkered grips are in good condition and are retained by steel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse.
The scabbard of this example is in near mint condition showing only the most nominal of usage having its original paint.
The long style swa back blade has outstanding nickel plated finish and is in mint condition with its deadly swas back on the spine. The reverse ricasso is simply marked Solingen. The original new like brown leather blade washer is in place.
A very nice example here.
Mint. $695.00
FIRE #44942C Long Fireman's Bayonet - Carl Eickhorn
The hilt of this bayonet does not look to have been cleaned but looking at the nickel plating I can see that it is all there and it should come up very nicely for the next owner.
The grip plates are the black checkered Bakelite being retained by steel rivets having dressed heads.
The scabbard is straight throughout and has very nice original paint. The paint shows just the slightest signs of usage but no chips and still in bright condition. This paint is actually 100 percent.
Attached to the scabbard is a unusual frog. It is a black leather example but instead of having the normal belt loop built into the top this frog has a heavy buckle which is complete with a roller. It is the first time that I have seen a frog like this and it is very interesting to look at.
The long style blade has mint nickel plated finish complete with a wide fuller design. The reverse ricasso is marked with the 1935 through 41 Eickhorn trademark. The original blade buffer is in place.
A nice example here that should clean up very well
Near Mint. $295.00
FIRE #42236C Long Fireman's Bayonet - Robert Klaas
This Klaas Fireman's Bayonet has excellent nickel plating on the hilt which remains 100% intact.
The grip plates are the standard black checkered Bakelite type, retained by nickel rivets with dressed obverse heads.
The scabbard is straight on the obverse but does have a dent on the reverse center. The original paint is fairly good, showing some wear but still about 98% intact.
The nickel plated blade shows wear to the plating on the areas from the center to the tip. The upper portion remains good, however. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the famous Kissing Cranes trademark of the Klaas firm, and the original black leather blade buffer is in place.
A good starter piece here, reasonably priced.
Excellent. $150.00
FIRE #40777 Fireman's Dress Axe
This Fireman's Dress Axe is a nice example. The head is plain, sporting a good nickel plated finish. It is conventionally shaped, with a pick at the back and a wide blade.
The handle is black painted wood. The paint is original and remains in fine condition. The shoulders are biting with two escutcheon plates that are each retained by a single screw.
A good looking axe here, perfect to display with other Feuerschutz items.
Excellent Plus, Plus. $595.00FIRE #37197C Alsace-Lorraine Fire Official's Dirk
This Fire Official's Dirk, coming from Alsace-Lorraine, appears to be of a turn of the last century vintage. It is about 20 inches long overall.
The dirk is of all polished iron construction. The pommel is rounded with an additional round top in the center which also appears to have a device that may retain the tang. The crossguard is relatively plain in the center, having an open circle on each side with quillon ends that curve downward into a teardrop. The area has lined enhancement to accent the curl. Below the crossguard is a butt plate that is open so that it secures over the scabbard throat.
The grip is a fine ebony, which is bulbous in the center and tapers towards either end. The grip is fluted all the way around and remains in perfect condition.
The scabbard is a fine black leather with the standard twin line decoration on the edges of both sides, and it is sewn up the middle in the usual way. The mounts are plain matching polished iron, having a lip which is straight around on the portion that meets the leather and there is a lug which is in the shape of a droplet. The lower mount is also lined on the edge and has an additional raise line slightly downward. The chape is a button style. Both mounts are retained with staples.
The fine blade is about 13 inches in length. It is plain with a single edge and a double fuller. The tip is still needle-like and the blade has a very good shine to the fines and is in near mint condition. The ricasso is stamped turn of the last century logo; a king and knight head with the firm's initials, “W. K. & C.” beneath. There is also a red, felt-like buffer to protect the blade.
Alsace-Lorraine is an area that butted France and over the years the Germans would take it over and then it would go back to France then it would be taken over by the Germans and since this was the case Alsace-Lorraine did belong to the Germans at this period of time thus the looks and workmanship of this fine period piece reflect German construction. Not an easy piece to find and a great example for Fire collectors as this is the earliest Alsace-Lorraine fire piece that I have handled.
Excellent. $2,495.00
FIRE #27281C Fireman's Dress Axe
This nickel plated Fireman's Dress Axe is slightly unusual from others I have seen. The axe head itself has a nice sharpened end on the left and before it tapers to a point at the rear, there is a step-up area in the shape. This gives the head an unusual look. Overall, there are minor traces of age, but nothing serious and I know this axe would clean up nicely.
There is a hardwood handle which is painted black, and the paint is still in fairly good condition. The escutcheon plates at the edges are retained by screws. It is interesting to note that there are no hanging rings on the escutcheon plates. However, below the right plate, there is a ring and eyelet assembly which is attached to the handle itself. Grabbing this ring and letting the whole affair dangle for a moment we can clearly see that the balance of the axe is perfect for a single hanging strap.
The lower portion of the handle has a nickel chape area but at the bottom of it, instead of the usual round ball device there is a flame shaped fitting which is highly unusual. It is also possible to read the name of the original owner of this example, as it is lightly scratched into the surface of the upper axe handle; the name reads "Emil Benten".
This example would be a prize for someone collecting dress Fire Axes; I have never seen any of the unusual features present on this piece, and I thought I'd seen them all!
Excellent Plus. $1,195.00
FIRE #35961 Early Prussian Fire Official’s Dirk
This Fire Official’s Dirk is extremely attractive, probably coming from the 1850's or 1860's. It is of Prussian origin for sure as the most interesting pommel cap is in the shape of a Prussian crown with a round orb and cross on the top. The crown is all produced of nickel having nice detail throughout. Below the crown is a doorknob shaped lower pommel which has plain surfaces with a little bit of beading around the lower edge. The ferrule is built into the crossguard and accepts the grip. The crossguard is quite familiar to us as it is the same as was used later in the Imperial period and also during the Third Reich. This crossguard features center blocks which both are smooth and being rectangular in shape. Coming out of the center block on both sides are four-sided crossguard arms which taper and then flare out to spearhead type quillon ends. A great looking solid nickel crossguard here.
The grip itself is a very fine ebony. The grip is larger in proportion at the center and tapers on both ends to nicely fit the pommel at the top and the crossguard upper collar at the bottom.
The scabbard shell is a black leather. Only a small portion of this leather shows as the upper scabbard mount on fire official’s daggers is quite large. This leather is in good condition throughout showing some mild age but still sound and being sewn up the rear. The nickel scabbard mounts have scalloped ends where they meet the shell. The upper fitting has two sets of twin lines which accent the obverse and the reverse directly in the area where there are plain eyelets and carrying rings. The lower mount also has two sets of twin decorative lines. These nickel mounts are in excellent condition throughout and since there are no staples retaining them I would assume that they are retained by glue in the old manner.
The blade of this example is only 9½ inches in length. It very much resembles the blades used for the Prussian Model 1848 Naval Dagger. It has a double edge construction with a very pronounced center ridge on both sides. There is a short ricasso at the beginning. This blade is a polished type having no etchings and it remains in fairly good condition with only a few minor signs of age in the finish. Considering its age this blade is quite nice. The blade is buffered by an off-red felt type. This dirk is overall about 17 ½ inches in length.
This is a really great fire official’s dirk being the first one that I have seen having this early motif. If there is someone out there that is an ardent fire department collector this dirk would really look great with other dirks of later periods and also a smattering of dress axes. A real museum piece here.
Excellent. $1,495.00
FIRE #34928C Etched Fire Department Dress Axe with Dedication
This Fireman's Dress Axe is a fine item that was apparently issued prior to the Nazis coming to power, since it was in 1927, we can be fairly sure the axe was used during the Third Reich time.
This axe head is slightly narrower than they usually are, having the cutting end on the right side, and the pierced, pointed end on the left. The face of the axe has a fine frosted background, and features raised-out floral designs. On the cutting edge side of the axe, there is a fireman’s helmet positioned over two crossed axes. The details are outstanding throughout the etching on both sides.
The axe is equipped with a wooden handle, which has original black paint, and does show quite a bit of hand wear, and rates at maybe 50% remaining. The lower portion of the handle has a matching nickel protective cap, which is smooth throughout, and retained by a screw on the bottom. The upper edges of the handle each have an escutcheon plate, which is retained by a screw.
On the obverse upper portion of the handle is a very fine plaque. This plaque has cut out edges, which have florals cut into the surfaces of the edges, giving the presentation plaque the look of old parchment. Neatly jeweler engraved on the plaque is a nine line dedication, “DIE STADT/DINGELSTADT/H.EDUARD WETZEL/fur 40 jahrige/treu geleisteten DIENSTE/in der freiwill /FEUERWEHR/ 22. MAI 1927. This plaque basically translates that it was presented by the town of Dinglestadt to H. Eduard Wetzel, for forty years of outstanding service with the volunteer fire department on May 22nd, 1927.
A fine example here of professional engraving, and a great fire axe, which must have been cherished by Herr Wetzel. A great looking addition here for any fire department collection.
Excellent. $1,995.00
FIRE #33588C Fireman’s Long Dress Bayonet with Distributor
This Fireman’s Long Dress Bayonet has excellent nickel-plated hilt finish. The nickel plating is 100% throughout and is in a near mint state. The grip plates are the black checkered Bakelit type and they are in perfect condition. These plates are retained by nickel-plated steel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse.
The scabbard is a fine straight example having excellent original black paint. The reverse of the scabbard has nearly perfect paint and the obverse has some age spidering in the surfaces but none of the paint is missing. This scabbard paint grades at about 98%.
Attached to the fireman’s bayonet is a rough leather frog usually being the type we associate with combat bayonets. This frog does appear original to the piece however. The leather to this frog is in good condition and it is retained by aluminum rivets.
The long style blade is a beauty having outstanding nickel-plated finish. This mint conditioned blade is marked on the reverse ricasso with the name of the distributor. The name is in an arch shape over the location city, “Horst Wolff G.m.b.H. / Leipzig”. The original brown leather blade buffer is in place.
A nice, good quality Fire Bayonet here.
Excellent Plus, Plus. $295.00
FIRE #30624C Fireman's Long Bayonet
This Fireman’s Long Bayonet is about as nice as you will find them. The hilt fittings are in choice condition having full mint nickel-plated surfaces throughout, and the crossguard is the usual up and down type.
The grip plates are crisp and in perfect condition having fine checkering to the black celluloid. The rivets are the nickel-plated steel type having dressed heads on the obverse.
The scabbard is nice and straight and has outstanding original paint. The only portion where the paint is missing is a little bit on the lower obverse ball. Otherwise this scabbard has near full mint paint.
The long blade is a beauty having highest quality nickel-plated finish. This blade easily rates in full mint throughout. The fuller is the wide style. This unmarked blade is protected by the in-place brown leather washer.
A very nice Fireman’s Bayonet here.
Mint. $250.00
FIRE #28837 Fireman's Long Bayonet
This Fireman’s Bayonet is in very fine condition, having been purchased directly from the son of the Veteran who brought it home. The nickel plating throughout the hilt is in 100% condition and is still nice and bright; this bayonet still has a certain “newness” about it.
The grip plates are the black checkered variety and they are in perfect condition. These grip plates are retained by steel rivets being slightly larger than we normally see, but nonetheless original. They are dressed on the obverse. The cross guard is the usual up-and-down quillon style.
The scabbard is nice and straight. This scabbard has very fine original black paint. There are a couple of spots where the paint has chipped but overall, this paint is still 99% and in near full mint condition. It is interesting to note that the throat of this scabbard is actually built in as opposed to being in a separate piece. The lug is also the smaller size that we frequently see on NPEAs or Hörster pieces. This lug is stamped “7” underneath.
The blade is a traditional long example, having wide fuller construction. It has perfect nickel plated finish and it is in pristine, mint condition. It is also interesting to note that this blade does not have a ricasso. Normally, fire bayonet blades would have a ricasso. This must have been another later done effort and I do not ever remember seeing this anomaly on a fire bayonet. Additionally, instead of a leather washer, this blade buffer is an off-white felt type.
A very fine bayonet here in nearly mint condition and having some unusual aspects about it. I would think that Feuerschutz collectors would deem this piece something they would have to have for their collection.
Mint Minus. $225.00
FIRE #35978 Fireman’s Long Bayonet – E. Pack
This Fireman’s Bayonet has an excellent nickel-plated hilt which is still at 100%. The crossguards of course, feature the up and down quillion arms.
The grip of this piece is a fine black checkered Bakelite example, being in perfect condition. The grip is retained by nickel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse.
The scabbard has a small ding about three-quarters of the way down on the obverse but the reverse is dent free. The original scabbard paint is in excellent condition rating at about 95%. The paint still retains its original factory luster.
The long style blade is a high quality nickel-plated example. It features wide fuller construction and remains in bright condition rating mint. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the hammering Siegfried trademark. It is the small style which places the vintage of this bayonet as quite early being about 1935 or 36. On the reverse is stamped a quality word as well as the location, “Gaarraannt / Solingen”. The original brown leather blade buffer is in place.
An interesting bayonet here, as we do not see too many produced by the Pack firm.
Near Mint. $225.00
FIRE #29862 Fireman's Long Bayonet
This Fireman’s Long Bayonet is a fine looking piece, having excellent nickel-plated surfaces throughout the hilt. This nickel plating easily is in near full mint condition.
The grip plates are the black checkered celluloid variety and they are in perfect condition. They are retained by nickel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse. The scabbard of this example is straight throughout and has outstanding original black paint. This paint still has its original factory sheen and is 100% grading in mint condition. There is a little bit of surface rust around the throat area but this would easily clean off.
The long style blade has wide fuller construction. This blade has high quality nickel-plated surfaces and is still mirror bright and in mint condition. The blade is protected by the in place brown leather washer.
A very nice Feuerschutz example here.
Mint Minus. $225.00
FIRE #30409 Fireman's Long Bayonet
This Fireman’s Bayonet reflects good nickel plating to the hilt. This hilt plating appears to be 100% and would clean up to a bright shine with little trouble.
The grip plates are the black checkered celluloid type, they are in perfect condition and they are retained by steel rivets having dressed heads on the obverse. The crossguards are the usual up and down variety.
The scabbard is a straight example having very good original paint. The obverse has a few normal scratches in the surfaces but the reverse still remains in perfect condition. This scabbard easily grades in excellent plus, plus condition.
Attached to the scabbard is a good black leather frog. This frog shows a little bit of modest age but all in all it is a fine looking item.
The blade is the long variety having wide fuller construction. This blade is still nice and bright and other than in and out wear it would grade in the near mint category. The blade is unmarked and is buffered by a brown felt washer.
A decent Feuerschutz example here.
Excellent Plus, Plus. $175.00
FIRE #30706 Firemans Long Bayonet
The nickel plating on the hilt of this Fireman's Bayonet appears to be all there at 100% and I am sure if it were cleaned up it would still be nice and bright. The grip plates are in perfect condition, being the black checkered celluloid. These plates are retained with nickel plated steel rivets. The obverse heads are dressed.
The scabbard is straight throughout. This scabbard has fine original paint and on the reverse is nearly 100% with only a couple of scratches. The obverse has a little more usage and some minor spidering but it is not too bad. This paint overall grades at about 90%.
The scabbard is equipped with a fine black leather frog. This frog is in near mint condition and with a little polishing, would be mint.
The blade of this example is the long type with wide fuller construction. This blade appears slightly wider than we normally see on firemans bayonets. I noticed that the rivet heads are also larger than other types. This all points toward a producer that maybe did not make a lot of Feuerschutz bayonets and thus some of these “slightly different” aspects make it more interesting to those out there that collect fireman types. It is also interesting to note that the cross guard center area has been trimmed thinner than most and it was done, of course, before the plating. This choice, mint conditioned blade is protected by an in-place brown felt buffer; another different variety, as we usually see leather on these.
A nice, interesting, good condition bayonet here, still in an “as found” state.
Excellent Plus. $195.00
FIRE #28250 Fireman's Long Bayonet - Horst Wolff, Liepzig
This Fireman’s Long Bayonet is in nice condition throughout. The hilt has all of the original nickel-plating intact. All though it is not cleaned up, it looks as though it will shine to a fine finish, as there is no age or freckling in the surfaces. The crossguard has the traditional Fireman’s quillon arms.
The grip plates are the checkered, Bakelite type and they are in good condition. They are retained by two nickel-plated rivets, having dressed heads on the obverse with a little bit of rust on the heads.
The scabbard is straight throughout and has original black paint. There is some age spiders, more on the obverse than reverse.
The long style blade has the wide fuller construction. This blade has quality nickel-plated surfaces and is still bright and mint. There is just the slightest trace of some old sharpening along the edge, but it is hardly anything and really takes a lot to even notice it. The brown leather washer is in place, protecting this nice blade. This blade rates at about 95%.
A good Fireman’s Bayonet here and in nice, collectible condition.
Near Mint. $195.00