Original Item: Only One Available. In 1898 with the new shorter Mauser bolt action infantry rifle, the Military adopted a new long bayonet which 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 WW1 in 1914 this Gew 98 long sawback bayonet was the norm.
Our example here bears a German acceptance proof mark on the back of the blade and is Maker marked to C.G.HAENEL of SUHL, maker of many of these bayonets. It is also regimentally marked on the throat of the scabbard: 11.J.3.116 indicating 11th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Company, with “116” being the individual weapon number.
The spine of the blade is stamped with a Crown over “FR” representing König Friedrich August III of SAXONY, who ruled from 1904 to 1918. Also on the blade’s spine is the manufacture date of “13” for 1913. The heavy saw back teeth on the top of the blade in
perfect condition.
The leather frog also bears the traces of it’d Maker’s stamp to rear. Intended to be issued to N.C.O.’s these have always been very hard to find. Ready to display.