Original German WWI M1898/05 A/a Butcher Sawback Bayonet by Erfurt with Scabbard – Dated 1908 – Unit Marked Bavarian 2nd Pioneer Regiment Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent 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 a/A (Alter Art = “old model”). This early pattern features the tall vestigial muzzle ring (or ‘ears’) and does not have 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 condition and still in the original “in the white” bare metal finish. The blade does show some signs of post-factory sharpening. The sawback itself is in excellent condition.
 
This example has a very nice set of original grooved wood grips in an attractive walnut color. The hilt is still in original bright metal finish, showing some light oxidation that has accumulated over the years here and there. Bayonet lock is fully functional. Bayonet is nicely marked, with inspection proofs on nearly every part.
 
The blade is also dated on the blade’s spine “08” under a inspection marking of a Crown over W, for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted. The blade is in excellent condition There is minor staining, and much of the factory milling texture can be seen.
Best of all, the bayonet is unit marked! The unit marking is stamped on the guard as follows:
B.2.P.II.R.142.
This would indicate that the bayonet was originally issued to the Bavarian 2nd Pioneer Regiment, 2nd Company, and that this was bayonet number 142. The Bavarian 2nd Pioneer Regiment was assigned to the II Armee Korps on the Western Front from 1914 through the end of hostilities in 1918.
 
The rare steel-fitted leather scabbard is in very good condition, with no cracking or other major damage to the leather. The bright steel fittings have a bit of rust specking and patination, as expected. The leather still has most of the original finish, with full stitching intact.  
An excellent 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 & Sawback
Overall length: 19 3/4”
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard length: 15 1/4″