German Short Police Dress Bayonet WKC – Stag Horn Grips

An authentic short German Police official dress sidearm and bayonet (Polizei-Seitengewehr) issued to law enforcement officers during the 1936–1945 period. The ricasso of the bright, polished steel blade features a highly defined, deep three-line manufacturer stamping: "WEYERSBERG KIRSCHBAUM & CIE SOLINGEN" (WKC). The hilt architecture showcases a heavy crossguard intricately adorned with a deeply embossed oak leaf and dense stippled motif on its face, curving upward on one side, paired with a distinctive stylized eagle-head pommel. The handle is fitted with premium, genuine dark stag horn (antler) grip scales mounted securely to the full tang with two solid rivets. The mirror-bright blade incorporates a wide fuller on both sides, maintaining its excellent original profile and fine point with only minor light handling scuffs and honest aging marks. The piece comes complete with its original scabbard featuring a bright upper locket fitting and intact lug, alongside its authentic brown leather mounting frog.

Historical context:
The official German Police sidearm configuration (Polizei-Seitengewehr) was formally standardized in 1936 following the nationalization of all regional law enforcement branches into the unified Ordnungspolizei (OrPo) under Heinrich Himmler. This specific short configuration represents a purpose-built dress bayonet manufactured during the Third Reich era to meet exact police regulation standards. The utilization of authentic stag horn handles (Hirschhorn) was a traditional and mandatory requirement for this service branch. The legendary Solingen firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie (WKC), possessing weapon-smithing traditions going back centuries, was one of the premier state-contracted producers of these high-grade ceremonial pieces. Complete examples combining the elite WKC brand name, the artistic oak leaf crossguard, and undisturbed staghorn plates remain highly sought-after display pieces.