Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet by Mauser with Scabbard & Frog – dated 1917 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 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, with a very nice hilt with little rust and a great patina. Bayonet lock is fully functional, though there is some denting on the flash guard, probably from being used as a hammer. The blade ricasso is clearly maker marked:

WAFFENFABRIK
MAUSER A.G.
OBERNDORF a.N.

The blade is also dated on the blade’s spine 17 under a proof mark of a Crown over W, for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted. The blade is in excellent condition, with the original arsenal sharpening, which is still mostly intact, with only a bit of wear. There is minor staining, and much of the factory milling texture can be seen.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, with almost no denting and without any major rust. It has the same MAUSER maker mark as the bayonet on the back. The original blued finish has worn in most places to a peppery gray, typical of a 100 year old scabbard. The frog button is still intact and unbent. The scabbard is held by a very nice original brown leather frog (Seitengewehrtragetasche), which is in great shape. The stitching looks to be completely intact, with the copper rivets retained as well. There is even a maker marking on the back!

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. The Mauser marking is the icing on the cake! 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″