Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet by DEMAG with Scabbard – dated 1916 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great 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 condition. There is a bit of light staining, but no major rust issues. It does not appear to have been sharpened much, and the sawback itself is in excellent condition.

This example has a very nice set of original grooved wood grips that have a lovely color and minor chipping (minor crack towards pommel), with a very nice hilt with little rust and a great patina. Bayonet lock is fully functional, and the flash guard is undented, which is rare as these were often used as a hammer in the field. The blade ricasso is maker marked (bottom line faint):

Deutsche Maschinenfabrik
A.-G.
D[u]isburg

This company utilized the brand name “DEMAG”, which was simply a shortened version of their full name. This company was most famous during WWI for their trench knives, especially the ersatz style “Crank Handle” fighting knife bayonet they produced. The company would later rise to a very prominent position in vehicle manufacturing during the NSDAP period, per J Anthony Carter’s excellent work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The blade is also dated on the blade’s spine 16 under a proof mark of a Crown over W, for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted. The blade is in very good condition, with the original arsenal sharpening, which is still mostly intact, with only a bit of wear. The original blued finish is a bit faded, and there is a bunch of light surface rust on the blade, which could be easily cleaned away. We have left it intact to preserve the lovely patina.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, with just a few small dents, and without any major rust. The original blued finish is still retained very well, with just a bit of wear through and oxidation degradation. The frog button is still intact and unbent.

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″