Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Bayonet by Fichtel & Sachs with Scabbard and Frog 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 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 has a very nice set of original grooved wood grips, with a few small ships and some cracking, as shown. The hilt and crossguard are solid, though they have some surface rusting due to age. Bayonet lock is fully functional. The blade ricasso still has the original maker mark, though it is faint:

FICHTEL & SACHS
SCHWEINFERT

The blade is also dated on the blade’s spine with a proof mark of a Crown over H., which is a marking we have not been able to identify. It could be the initial of an inspector, or this bayonet was accepted by one of the various states of the German empire. There is also a marking of 1819 on the other side of the ricasso. The blade is in good condition, though it does have some staining and wear, and has been sharpened, though not enough to change the blade shape. It is blued, so most likely this bayonet also saw service in WWII.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, with no dents and a great blued finish. This example has threaded frog button, which is used to attach a round brass nut on the outside to secure a frog. The scabbard is held by a nice original brown leather frog (Seitengewehrtragetasche), which is in great shape. It is supple, and is quite long. The back is maker marked and dated 1915.

A fine example of what is becoming a difficult bayonet to find in such fine condition, just the way we like to find them, ready to display.