{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-kurzes-seitengewehr-m1898-05-sawback-dress-bayonet-by-wkc-with-scabbard-1917-dated-frog","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Kurzes Seitengewehr M1898\/05 Sawback Dress Bayonet by WKC with Scabbard \u0026 1917 Dated Frog","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the rare Kurzes Seitengewehr (Short Sidearm) M1898 Sawback Dress Bayonet, complete with its black-painted scabbard and a 1917-dated leather frog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntended for use on the Mauser GEW 98 rifle, the bayonet design is based on the earlier M1871\/84 bayonet with a 10 inch blade, and the first model of these were converted from those bayonets. This example was purpose made in this size, and was not converted. The sawback version of these are very rare, and seldom seen. For more information on the variations of this type, please see Watts \u0026amp; White, The Bayonet Book, Pages 120-122.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a very nice set of original checkered bakelite grips, held in place by three steel rivets. We usually see these with leather grips, but WWI was during the time when Bakelite was first being popularized, so it was also sometimes used. The bird's head pommel is in good shape, with a lovely oxidized patina, and the bayonet lock is fully functional. It does not look like this bayonet was ever nickel plated, so it may have been issued \"in the white\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is in very good condition, with only a bit of staining on the bright finish, and the original \"sawback\" is still quite sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is marked on the ricasso with the double trademark \u003cstrong\u003e\"King's Helmet\"\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eRitter-helm\u003c\/em\u003e) alongside a \u003cstrong\u003e\"Kings's Head\" \u003c\/strong\u003e(\u003cem\u003ekönigskopf\u003c\/em\u003e) over \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eW.K. \u0026amp; C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e logo of legendary German maker \u003cem\u003eWeyersberg Kirschbaum \u0026amp; Cie\u003c\/em\u003e of Solingen. This trademark is used on privately purchased blades and walking out bayonets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is absolutely correct for this sword. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePer J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum \u0026amp; Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is straight throughout and still has over 90% of the original black enamel paint. This really is a great scabbard, with very little age related degradation. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in good condition. It is still in good shape, with intact stitching, and the leather is not overly stiff. The frog is stamped BERLIN 1917 on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll in all a nice example of the very rare dress Short Model 1898 Sawback Bayonet of WWI, in good shape with the correct scabbard and frog. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 10 1\/8”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged with Fuller \u0026amp; Sawback\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 15 1\/8”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 3\/8”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 10 3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41866694590533,"sku":"ONSV23TMS160","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV23TMS160__01.jpg?v=1726270138","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-kurzes-seitengewehr-m1898-05-sawback-dress-bayonet-by-wkc-with-scabbard-1917-dated-frog","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}