KM K98 + Prinz Eugen Surrender photographs

[JamesT]

Hello Folks

Picked these little gems up yesterday

A Coppel made matching K98 with the K armoury number and the two photos Bernard Montgomery taking the surrender of the Prinz Eugen and Nurnberg in Copenhagen harbour.

According to Wikipedia - at the end of the war, Priz Eugen was one of only two operational German cruisers left (the other was the light cruiser Nürnberg), and was surrendered to British forces in Copenhagen on 8 May 1945. On 26 May, Prinz Eugen left Copenhagen with Nürnberg, and sailed to Wilhelmshaven under escort by the British. Prinz Eugen arrived on 28 May, remaining in dry dock until December 1945. On 5 January 1946, the ship was handed over to the United States Navy.

These items come from the estate of a British Navy Petty Officer who was also authorised to take photographs - I have a wonderful album as well - with the distroyer HMS Birmingham.

[JamesT]

more pictures

Is it possible to learn more about the bayonet from the registration mark?

[JamesT]

couple more pics

should I try to clean off the rust that you can see on the scabbard?

I have not been able to remove the frog but I can see that the numbers are matching.

[rajko84]

It is probably all matching being that the frog too in navy marked. Very nice find especially with the pics.

[12thPanzer]

Nice kreigsmarine bayonet. Those are one of the most sought after k98 combat bayos out there next to police bayos. Love the photos too

[JamesT]

Thanks for the comments folks.

Does the serial number on the cross guard tell us anything?

[JamesT]

Here are some more pics

Maker's mark and OK numbers match - the markings on the scabbard look great

so do the other numbers

[JamesT]

i cleaned up the blade with an oily rag to remove some of the dirt and it has come up like a new pin. Un sharpened as far as I can tell and the tip is undamaged. Spine is marked 39

There are some scratch marks where it has been used as a tool to lever off something. Beer bottle top or such like. Only light

I'd say 75 - 80% of the bluing is still there

[JamesT]

Scabbard is fine underneath the frog. Below the frog line it is worn with light rust. As you can see there are a few patches of heavier rust.

Marked on the end

the locking nut works perfectly

[JamesT]

The frog

This baby is headed to the e-stand

I will exchange for an Eickhorn of similar quality