German Bayonet , little known about it

[Roy W]

I was handed this bayonet by my late grandfather. He was a sailor on an LCT who dropped US Combat Engineers on Utah Beach, 6th June 1944.

He picked the bayonet up from a German soldier and it was the one thing he kept. I used to pester him to see it every time I visited, and it paid off when he gave it to me.

I've never known anything about it and there are no markings. I also can't find any online pictures or info of the same type.

Can anyone enlighten me with any details about it?

Thanks,
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Information

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[Roy W]

His LCT was number 2011

1. 238th Engineers, C Battalion (546 personnel and 106 vehicles) transported to Tare Green sector of Utah Beach by British LCT(5)'s: 2057, 2304, 2477, 2056, 2235, 2011, 2269 2074, 2302, all headed for Tare Green sector of Utah Beach.

The only known photo of it shows it tied up in a canal, the photo says Holland, but it does resemble Ouistreham, Normandy, which would tie in with my Grandads story of spending 2 weeks after D Day getting drunk, moored up in a French Canal!

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[WarPig1976]

It's a dress bayonet. Should help you.

[Peter Laidler]

Your Granpa was telling you a porkie Roy. He might have been stuck into something French - but it probably wasn't a canal!

[Roy W]

Oo La La Pete, you're probably right there, but Nan was always around when he recounted the stories so I got the censored version!

[Peter Laidler]

Surprised that no info has come up on this bayonet. Where's Old Smithy or Marysdad when you need them?

[Gil Boyd]

Roy,
Could I ask, is there a channel on the flat side of the bayonet handle which would tradionally slide down the spiggot on the barrel and secure it with a click??
My uncles in Germany have very similar handles sculptured in this fashion which were not wood but of some other fabric, certainly not plastic and stamped ffc which is Friedrich Abr. Herder und Sohn, Solingen who made them during 39-45. My two surviving uncles both have bayonets which they wore on parade if that helps. They say there were hundreds of variations though on the same theme.
Useful when you are half German

[Roy W]

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Hi Gil

These photos show what you talk about. The round button pushes in to move a locking lug out of the way for removal. Looks like the Eagle's eye!

It certainly doesn't have the finish of a dress bayonet, very matt grey finish and a standard steel blade.

The leather frog has considerable wear, commensurate with daily wear, rather than ceremonial.

REgards

Roy

[gew8805]

As WarPig said, it is one of an infinite variety of dress bayonets worn as part of the walking out uniform by German soldiers. The gray color is due to oxidation of the base metal the item is made of, at one time it may have been nickel plated. It may or may not fit a rifle, it was not intended to be used on active service.

You should be proud to have it and treasure your Grandfather's stories about it, even if they were told with a wink.

[WarPig1976]

which were not wood but of some other fabric, certainly not plastic

Roy's and your uncles are probably antler of some type.