Original German WWI M1898 n/A GEW 98 Bayonet dated 1904 with Scabbard and Frog – Regiment Marked Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In 1898 with the new Mauser bolt action infantry rifle the military adopted this long bayonet, the Seitengewehr (Sidearm) M1898. This longer bayonet gave an Infantryman the ability to bring a Cavalryman down from his horse, due to the bayonets long reach. Of course Cavalry was soon becoming a thing of the past and these long bayonets were being surpassed by different and shorter versions. At the start of WWI in 1914 this Gew 98 long bayonet was the norm.

This fine example has the typical long “pipe backed” 20 1/2″ blade, also called a “quill back”. The spine is proof marked Crown / W directly in front of the cross guard, for Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German Emperor. Under this is 04, indicating acceptance in 1904. There is also a faint regimental mark on the cross guard: 121. R. 8. 236. This marking indicates issue to the 121st (3rd Württemberg) “Old Württemberg” Infantry regiment, 8th battalion, 236th weapon.

The blade ricasso is maker marked ALEX COPPEL / SOLINGEN, indicating manufacture by Alexander Coppel & Co. located in the legendary “City of Blades”, Solingen. This company manufactured bayonets for many years and up through WWII under the name Alcoso. Sadly, as the Coppel family was Jewish, they saw their company stolen from them and “Aryanized” during WWII by the NSDAP.

This bayonet is an example of the second model of this bayonet, the n.A. (neu Art) model introduced in 1902, and the grip is made of two halves from wood. After the turn of the century the Germans simplified and strengthened their bayonet grips. The original “alter Art” (old type) bayonet had a grip made of one single piece of wood, which was wrapped around the tang.

The bayonet shows overall light corrosion on the blade, as well as signs of sharpening, however it is overall quite nice after years of service. The grip scales are in very good condition, with no cracks or chips, and the carved ribs still very clear and have a lovely color. The bayonet comes complete with its original Steel Mounted leather scabbard, many of which were lost and replaced with “ersatz” emergency issue scabbards. Due to age and use it does have some wrinkles and wear, but it is overall solid, and is held by a correct leather frog.

All in all a nice example of the scarce first model M1898 Gew 98 Bayonet of WWI, in good shape with scabbard and leather frog. Ready to display!