Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet with Steel Scabbard by Simson & Co. – Dated 1916 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. There is some pitting which has been removed, and it has been sharpened on the edge, but not enough to change the blade shape. The sawback itself is in excellent condition.

The pommel has a nice set of original grooved wood grips, though they are quite dark in color due to staining, and the hilt has some surface rusting due to age. Bayonet lock is fully functional. The blade ricasso is maker marked:

SIMSON & Co.SUHL

On the cross guard above this, the bayonet still has a regimental marking of 4. A. R. 5, for 5th Artillery Regiment, 5th Man., and it is dated on the blade’s spine 16 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 only small dents on the sides, and no large dents or major rust. Like many scabbards used into the post war period, this one has been painted green, which unfortunately has obscured the proof marks that would be visible. However it is still in very solid conditoin.

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.

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″