Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Bayonet by Fichtel & Sachs with Bavarian Proof Mark & Scabbard 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 nice set of original grooved wood grips, with a few small ships and some cracking, as shown. They do show staining from water, and the the hilt and crossguard are solid, though they also show surface rust damage. This has made the proof mark on the pommel quite faint. Bayonet lock is still fully functional. The blade ricasso still has the original maker mark, which is still clear:

(CROSSED KEYS)
FICHTEL & SACHS
SCHWEINFERT

Per J. Anthony Carter’s fine work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the Fichtel & Sachs company was founded in 1895 by Karl Fichtel and Ernst Sachs, originally for making ball bearings and bicycle parts. They also made S.98/05 Bayonets for the Bavarian Government from 1915-1918, and during 1916-1917, many blades bore the “Crossed Keys” of Friedrich Herder Abraham Sohn of Solingen. This indicates that they supplied the blade blanks for these bayonets, of which this is one example. 

The blade is dated on the blade’s spine 15 under a proof mark of a Crown over L, for King Ludwig III of Bavaria, and indicating the date it was accepted into service. Ludwig reigned as king from 1913 until 1918, when the Monarchy was abolished. Previously he had been the Prince Regent 1912-1913, as his cousin Otto was technically the King, however he was deemed unfit for rule, so his uncle and later cousin ruled in his stead. There is also an inspector proof under the date marking.

The blade is in good condition, though it does have some staining and wear, and has been sharpened, though not enough to change the blade shape. Please consult the pictures for condition details.

The steel scabbard is in good condition, though it does have a dent about 5 inches from the bottom, which does not interfere with sheathing the bayonet. Overall it has a lightly oxidized patina, with surface rust and light pitting.

A fine example of what is becoming a difficult bayonet to find in any condition, just the way we like to find them with loads of patina. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 14 5/8″
Blade Style: Butcher with Smoothback
Overall length: 19 3/4“
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 15 1/4″