Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Saber bayonet designed for the Austrian M-1873 Werndl-Holub Rifle, with a coil spring bayonet catch design and early hard gutta percha grips. This bayonet was made after 1873, when the Werndl-Holub design was revised, and the bayonet blade specification changed to 18 1/2″. It comes complete with its original steel scabbard, designed to fit the ‘Yataghan’ shaped blade.
The Bayonet is stamped on the blade with a partial Œ / WG, the marking for Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company), abbreviated as ŒWG. Steyr Mannlicher firearms production would be a division this company. It also is marked on the end of the cross guard with a regimental marking, which looks to be for one of the Austrian Landwehr Regiments. The bayonet catch is fully functional. The “gutta percha” grip scales are in excellent condition, with great checkering and very little wear. There is no cracking that we can see.
The blade is in good condition, and has been arsenal sharpened. It does have some stains and light rust damage from water in some areas, but is overall still quite solid. The included scabbard is in very good condition, with minimal denting, though most of the original black painted finish is now worn away.
For further information, please see Watts and White, THE BAYONET BOOK page 14, item 23.
Hard to find and ready to display!
Dimensions:
Blade length: 18 1/2”
Blade Style: Single Edged “Yataghan” with Fuller
Overall length: 23 1/2”
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard length: 19 1/4″