Original German WWI Seitengewehr M1898 a/A GEW 98 Bayonet with Leather Scabbard – Dated 1901 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In 1898 with the new Mauser bolt action infantry rifle the military adopted this long bayonet which gave an Infantryman the ability to bring a Cavalryman down from his horse due to the bayonets long reach. Of course Cavalry was soon becoming a thing of the past and these long bayonets were being surpassed by different and shorter versions. At the start of WW1 in 1914 this Gew 98 long bayonet was the norm.

This fine example has the typical long “pipe backed” 20 1/2″ blade, also called a “quill back”. The spine is proof marked Crown / W directly in front of the cross guard, for Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German Emperor. Under this is 01, indicating production in 1901. There is also the remnant of a regimental mark on the scabbard: 2.43

The blade ricasso is maker marked Crown / ERFURT, indicating manufacture at the Royal Erfurt Arsenal, located in Thuringia. This bayonet is an example of the first model of this bayonet, which had a grip made of one single piece of wood, which was wrapped around the tang. This is called a.A. which means in German “alter Art” (old type). After the turn of the century the Germans simplified and strengthened their bayonet grips. The new type is called n.A. (neu Art) and the grip was made of two halves from wood. The two-piece grips were introduced in 1902. These improvements were common for all the Military models of bayonets.

The bayonet shows some corrosion on the blade, as well as signs of sharpening, however it is overall quite nice after years of service. The one piece grip is in very good condition, with no cracks or chips, and the carved ribs still very clear. The bayonet comes complete with its original Steel Mounted leather scabbard, many of which were lost and replaced with “ersatz” emergency issue scabbards. Due to age the leather has shrunk a bit. and does have some wrinkles, but it is overall solid.

All in all a nice example of the scarce first model M1898 Gew 98 Bayonet of WW1 with an excellent condition one piece grip and leather scabbard. Ready to display.