Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet with Scabbard by Weyersberg Kirschbaum – 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 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 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. This example has a blade in very good used condition. The blade finish is very nice, with minimal staining and pitting on the bright steel blade. It has however been sharpened on the edge, and there are some edge dents. The sawback itself is in excellent condition.

The hilt has a nice set of original grooved wood grips, which have a lovely aged brown color, and some scratches and small dents. The metal of the hilt still has a lovely bright steel finish, with a bit of peppering. The Bayonet lock is fully functional. The blade ricasso is maker marked:

WEYERSBERG

KIRSCHBAUM
& CIE
SOLINGEN

Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co. is one of the most well-known makers of edged weapons in the legendary “City of Blades”, Solingen, and this nice example is typical of their high quality work. The blade is dated on the blade’s spine 15 under a proof mark of a Crown over W., for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and indicating the date it was accepted into service.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, with some dents on the sides, and no major rust issues. It is still in the original blued steel finish, and was not painted green like many scabbards were during the interwar period. Definitely a very nice service worn example of this scabbard.

A fine example of what is becoming a difficult bayonet to find in such fine condition, never messed with, just the way we like to find them, ready to display.