Swiss Pioneer Short Sword and Model 1900 Bayonet Fortress Rig (Gotthard Besteck)

This is a rarely seen set that has both a Pioneer short sword with sawback blade, and the Swiss Model 1900 Bicyclist’s bayonet in a special combination frog.  The short sword measures 26 1/16" overall, with a 20 1/16" straight, sawback blade.  The ricasso is marked "E. HORSTER / SOLINGEN", and the steel has an overall streaked gray patina with scattered spots of mild freckling throughout.  The hilt has a brass crossguard with straight quillons, disk finials, and the cantonal emblem of Basel-Landschaft on the reverse guard.  The brass has an overall yellow-ochre patina with numerous minor handling marks and small surface blemishes throughout.  The attached bayonet is a Swiss Model 1900 Bayonet (made using only the blade portion of the earlier Swiss Peabody socket bayonets) that measures 19 1/2" overall, with a 15 1/16" straight, angular blade having four hollow-ground flutes along its length.  The steel retains most of the original blued finish, with silvering and gray fading along the high and exposed edges.  The guard has a muzzle-ring and single, very short quillon, along with a push-button latch at the pommel.  Both blades are housed in original dark brown leather scabbards, held by a unique, brown leather double frog with a partially legible maker’s label on the back, and a Swiss Cross stamp on the front.  These sets were worn by troops manning the fortresses guarding the Alpine approaches into Switzerland, including the famous Gotthard Pass in northern Switzerland.  These sets are rarely seen, especially in the US, and this example is in fine-near excellent condition.