Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the M-1898/05 Bayonet (Seitengewehr), which was the most common German Bayonet of the First World War. It was intended for use on the standard issue service rifle of Imperial Germany: the Mauser-designed Gewehr 98 (GEW 98). It features a heavy 14.5-inch steel blade with distinct bulge toward the point, giving extra weight and power to the business end, known as a "butcher blade". This version is known as a/A (alter Art = old model). These early pattern bayonets were made with a vestigial muzzle ring, known as "high horns", and did not have a flashguard on the back of the grip.
Almost all examples of the a/A would later have the "horns" ground away, so it is very rare to find an intact example such as this!
This example has a very desirable "sawback" blade, which was intended for use by pioneers to saw through brush and obstacles. Unfortunately a rumor got out that it was intended to inflict grievous harm on enemies, so a lot of the sawback bayonets had this feature removed, making them hard to find.
The blade ricasso is maker marked:
WEYERSBERG
KIRSCHBAUM
& CIE
SOLINGEN
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. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE 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 WKC was formed as it exists today. It was heavily involved with exporting edged weapons to South American countries in the late 19th and early 20th century.
It has a nice set of original grooved wood grips, which show very heavy wear with dents and scratches. The hilt has a functional bayonet lock, and is in overall good condition. The blade is also dated on the blade's spine 14 under a proof mark of a Crown over W., for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted, 1914. There are additional markings on both sides of the cross guard. The blade shows heavy wear from storage with Cosmoline heavily coating the end of the blade, with rusting underneath. This example could use a good cleaning.
The bayonet comes with a correct blued steel scabbard in very good condition, with scattered oxidation and wear to the finish.
A very interesting example of a hard to find German Butcher Sawback bayonet, complete with scabbard. Ready to display!
Dimensions:
Blade length: 14 1/2”
Blade Style: Single Edged "Butcher" with Fuller & Sawback
Overall length: 19 3/4”
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard length: 15 1/4"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
