Original German WWI M1898/05 a/A Butcher Bayonet with Steel Scabbard and Frog by Erfurt – Dated 1915 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good 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 = older model). This first pattern lacks the flashguard on the back of the grip and originally had a vestigial (partial) muzzle ring, often referred to as having “high ears.” These were often ground away, as is the case with this example.

This example has a very nice set of original grooved wood grips, with a few small ships and dents. The hilt and crossguard are solid, though they have some surface rusting due to age. Bayonet lock is fully functional. The blade ricasso is maker marked Crown over ERFURT, for the Imperial Erfurt Arsenal, located in Thuringia. 

The blade is also dated on the blade’s spine 15 under a proof mark of a Crown over W, for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted. The blade is in good condition, though it appears to have been arsenal refurbished and blued for use during the WWII Era. These were still popular for pioneer units to have during WWII, as they were good at chopping, which was the intended use of the “butcher” blade. Overall it is quite nice.

The steel scabbard is in good condition, which is in great shape in most areas. The original blued finish is still mostly intact and looks great. There is however an area on the back of the scabbard that looks to have been hit repeatedly with a heavy pointed object, which has dented in the scabbard at that point, though not to the point of the bayonet seizing. The frog button is still intact and unbent.

The attached leather frog is in good condition, with intact stitching and white stitching. It looks to be more likely a WWII produced scabbard, due to the condition and white stitching. 

A fine example of what is becoming a difficult bayonet to find in such fine condition, ready to display or match up with your WWI or WWII German Mauser Rifle!