Original German WWI M1898/05 n/A Butcher Sawback Bayonet with Scabbard by Rare Maker L.O. DIETRICH Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent rare 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 used condition. The blade finish is very nice, with minimal staining and pitting on the bright steel blade. It has however been sharpened, though not enough to alter the blade profile. The sawback itself is in excellent condition.

The hilt has a nice set of original grooved wood grips, which have a lovely aged brown color, and some scratches and small dents. The metal of the hilt has a lovely aged steel patina, with a bit of peppering. The Bayonet lock is fully functional. The blade ricasso is maker marked:

L.O. DIETRICH
ALTENBURG

The reverse ricasso is marked with the company that forced the unmounted blade blank:

GEBR. HARTKOPF
SOLINGEN

Gebrüder Hartkopf, Gesenkschmiede (Drop Forging) was founded in 1872 by brothers (gebrüder) Carl & August Hartkopf. According to GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter, the company made many blade blanks for 98/05 bayonets during the 1917-1918 era. These were shipped to many makers/finishers, and L.O. Dietrich was one of the major recipients. There are inspection marks on the pommel and blade spine, however no date, common for late war rushed production, which were never sent to the imperial inspectors.

The steel scabbard is in very good – excellent condition, with only a few small light dents. It is still in the original blued steel finish, and was not painted green like many scabbards were during the interwar period. The finish is barely worn. This and the original arsenal grease on the blade seem to indicates that it saw little to no use in service.

A great 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.