Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet by Dürkopp-Werke. A.-G. with Scabbard 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 good condition.

This example has a very nice set of original grooved wood grips that have a lovely color and minor chipping, 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 knife in general appears to have gone through some rather extensive cleaning. There is pitting throughout and a scent of oils and cleaning product still present. The blade ricasso is maker marked (top line faint):

DÜRKOPP
WERKE A.-G.

The firm has a history of automobile, ball bearings and motorcycle production but both Kochs Adler and Dürkopp’s history began with sewing machines. Dürkoppwerke’s history began in 1867 when Heinrich Dürkopp, who had earlier completed building a sewing machine on his own co-founded Dürkopp and Schmidt with a colleague, Carl Schmidt. The firm later dropped Schmidt from its name. Operating out of the backroom of a clock-maker’s factory, the new firm made both household and industrial sewing machines. As the business profile became enhanced among local customers, the firm moved to a new building close to market street, Bielefeld in 1870. The company expanded sales to other regions in Germany and introduced specialized machines for shoe-making. In 1885, it began production of bicycles and ball bearings which were an early success. During its early period, Dürkopp experimented with many mechanical ideas and products, led by its founder, the firm began automobile production introducing a successful product, Knipperdolling to the market in 1906. The firm has produced three wheeled and two wheeled motorcycles.

After World War I, the firm’s debt profile grew and fell under the receivership of banks who went on to sell its automobile unit to Mercedes Benz. During the Second World War, the firm produced cylindrical bearings for tanks and weapons. Kochs Adler, which was majority-owned by the Oetker family, produced munitions and employed forced labor. Those products were jettisoned after the war and the firm went back to its core products, making sewing machines, conveyor belts, bicycles and motorcycles. By 1962, the firm concentrated on making sewing machines and conveyor belts for the garment industry. In 1990, it merged with Koch Adler, another Bielefeld based industrial sewing machine manufacturer that was founded in 1860.

The blade is not dated on the blade’s spine and has a partial proof mark. 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 completely 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 and also appears to have been cleaned. The body of the scabbard does have pitting present throughout. 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″