Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet by P.D. Lüneschloss Solingen with Scabbard & Frog – 1916 Dated 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 heavy chipping from time, with a very nice hilt with some heavy oxidation 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 guard does have some oxidation which is to be expected. The blade in general looks to be uncleaned, with minor pitting in specific spots. The blade ricasso is maker marked (top line faint):

P. D.
LÜNESCHLOSS
SOLINGEN

The well-known P.D. Lüneschloss, Fabrik blanker Waffen (Factory of Bare Weapons) company was founded in 1810 by Peter Daniel Lüneschloss. It originally began as a cutlery manufacturer but started the production of edged weapons in 1848. During the American Civil War of 1861-65, Lüneschloss supplied edged weapons to both Federal and Confederate forces, though definitely supplied more to the former. The company began producing bayonets in 1860, and had various contracts for them around the world, per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The blade is dated on the blade’s spine with 1916 and 2 visible proof marks, one of which may be Ottoman. 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. Th frog itself is in great shape with patina that pairs well with the bayonet itself. There appears to have been a stamp on the back, but it has worn away with time.

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″
Frog length: 9 ⅛”