Original German WWI M1898 n/A Gew 98 Seitengewehr Bayonet by Simson & Co. with Scabbard Unit Marked to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 74
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an extremely scarce M1898 Gewehr 98 Seitengewehr bayonet with the scabbard bearing a unit marking 74. R. 8. 76. for Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 74.
In 1898 with the new Mauser bolt action infantry rifle the military adopted this long bayonet, the Seitengewehr (Sidearm) M1898. This longer bayonet gave an Infantryman the ability to bring a Cavalryman down from his horse, due to the bayonets long reach. Of course Cavalry was soon becoming a thing of the past and these long bayonets were being surpassed by different and shorter versions. At the start of WWI in 1914 this Gew 98 long bayonet was the norm.
The blade ricasso is maker marked SIMSON & Co. / SUHL, a well-known maker of bayonets during WWI and prior. The company was owned by the Jewish Simson family, so unfortunately in the years leading to WWII, it was "Aryanized", eventually becoming Gustloff-Werke – Waffenwerk Suhl. The spine of the bayonet is dated 1906 with a Wilhelm mark and inspection mark underneath.
This bayonet is an example of the second model of this bayonet, the n.A. (neu Art) model introduced in 1902, and the grip is made of two halves from wood. After the turn of the century the Germans simplified and strengthened their bayonet grips. The original "alter Art" (old type) bayonet had a grip made of one single piece of wood, which was wrapped around the tang. For more information please see Watts & White, The Bayonet Book, page 120, Item 257.
The bayonet shows minor staining on the blade, as well as signs of sharpening, however it is overall quite nice after years of service. The grip scales are in very good condition, with no cracks, and the carved ribs are still very clear and have a lovely color. There are a few scratches and dents. The bayonet comes complete with its original Steel Mounted leather scabbard, many of which were lost and replaced with "ersatz" emergency issue scabbards. The scabbard is in very rough shape and appears to have been repainted at one point. The leather is weak and the bottom chape is loose.
All in all a nice example of the scarce M1898 Gew 98 Bayonet of WWI, with a very rare unit marking and in good shape with scabbard. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 20 1/2"
Overall length: 35 3/4”
Crossguard: 2 3/8”
Scabbard Length: 22 1/2”
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