Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A “Sanitized” Butcher Sawback Bayonet by Koeller & Co / Dürkopp Werke A. G. with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very 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 n/A (neuer Art = newer model). This second pattern lacks the first pattern’s vestigial muzzle ring (or ‘ears’) and has a flashguard on the back of the grip.

This example was originally produced with a “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. It got to the point that many Germans believed that the British summarily executed all Germans found carrying sawback bayonets when captured, so a lot of the sawback bayonets had this feature removed. This would have been quite ironic, since the sawback bayonet was originally first a British development. While this example no longer has the “saw back”, it can clearly be seen that it originally did have one, now ground away, thankfully leaving the markings on the spine intact.

This example has a very nice set of original grooved wood grips, with denting and some small chips from wear. The hilt and crossguard are solid, with a lovely blued finish, now worn in a few areas. The bayonet lock is fully functional.
The blade ricasso is maker marked KOELLER & CO / CHILIGS / SOLINGEN, indicating manufacture by Alexander Coppel & Co. located in the legendary “City of Blades”, Solingen. This company manufactured bayonets for many years and up through WWII under the name Alcoso. Sadly, as the Coppel family was Jewish, they saw their company stolen from them and “Aryanized” during WWII by the NSDAP. For more information on this maker please see J Anthony Carter’s excellent work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The opposite side has another maker’s mark, which is not exactly common. Bayonets were made during not only WWI, but also during WWII. The bayonets dating from 1916/17 have been recorded with Dürkopp Werke marks, though it is suspected that only a part of the work was undertaken in Bielefeld. Some bayonets will be found with the marks of Gottlieb Hammesfahr, Rich, A Herder or F. Koeller & CO. on the opposite side of the blade, but it is not known if Dürkopp Werke received unfinished blade blanks or simply sent them to Solingen for completion. For more information please check out Page 158 of the book “German Knife and Sword Makers”.

The blade is in very good condition, except for the missing saw back. It has a nice arsenal refinish, which has worn through in some places, but still looks quite nice. The steel scabbard is in very good condition, also arsenal refinished, with a few dents that do not interfere with sheathing the blade.

No markings can be found on the spine.

A very nice example of the unfortunate fate of many rare Butcher “Sawback” bayonets from the First World War. Ready to display!

Dimensions:
Blade length: 14 1/2”
Blade Style: Single Edged “Butcher” with Fuller
Overall length: 19 3/4”
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard length: 15 1/4″