Third Reich Police Bayonet-Lüneschloss

A Weimar era, municipal police bayonet, converted in the Third Reich period to conform with the rules of the newly centralised police organisation under the command of the Reichsführer SS, Heinrich Himmler.Fine nickel hilt with excellent detail to the feathering at the pommel. There is no rifle slot. The cross guard has the usual raised oak leaves on the obverse and on the reverse, however on the reverse, only the quillion end has the leaves. The center area is stamped with the number '669' which matches that stamped on the reverse of the upper reverse scabbard mount. Interestingly, this number replaces an earlier designation which has been removed with a number of over stamped 'X' markings. The grip plates are fine stag with pleasing color browns in the grain. They are retained by aluminum rivets having dressed heads on the obverse. The insignia is the open aluminum type with eagle and swastika over a wreath of oak leaves, showing wear only to the highlights. Bright, heavy plated blade is in excellent condition having a few extremely small areas of rusting to the edges. This blade has been professionally cut down and measures some 13 inches, having a fuller which extends to the tip. The original manufacturers name, 'PD Lüneschloss Solingen' is stamped to the reverse ricasso, and a leather washer is in place beneath the crossguard.Black leather scabbard has the usual twin line decoration and a seam to the reverse. Mounts are securely attached using staples, the lower having a few post war 'sword fighting' indentations.Fine example.