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German bayonets, 1914-16


Fritz

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Here is a selection of "standard" German bayonet types at the beginning of WW1. The older types were the shorter SG 84/98 a.A., which had been converted from the old M.71/84, and had been adapted for the new G.98 rifle, whereas the older 71/84 model was only suited to the G.71/84 or G.88 rifle, which were still available in sufficient numbers to equip the reserve troops.

Shown are two examples of the SG 84/98 aA (old model) in varying lengths. These had the same blades as the SG 71/84 (middle).

The SG 71/84 shown has a stamp on the rear of the hilt: being 31.R.6.25 meaning Inf.-Regt.31, 6th Comp., weapon no.25.

There is a date on the spine of the blade of 1888, beneath a crowned "W". The blades of all three weapons are by Weyersberg, Kirchbaum & Cie., Solingen. All three weapons have walnut grips. The rear of the pommel shows two crowned inspection marks, which are almost always present. In most cases, the blades were only sharpened on mobilisation, never in peacetime. The misuse of blades was also absolutely prohibited.

The scabbard of the SG 71/84 shown here is missing, but would have been identical to the SG 84/98. When leather scabbards became unserviceable during WW1, they were replaced by the depot with steel scabbards. Each unit had it's own armourers workshops, which, constantly inspected the weaponry and carried out the necessary repairs and replacements.

Further examples shown are of the SG 98/05, which was issued in large numbers till about 1918, and was probably the most common bayonet of WW1. It was originally conceived for the foot artillery for use with the G.98 and Kar 98, but was found most practical as a general service bayonet. This was originally issued with a leather scabbard, but as from 1915 steel scabbards were produced, which proved more durable under the damp and harsh conditions at the front.

Shown is a 1914 produced bayonet by Haenel in Suhl with a leather scabbard. The other is a 1915 example by V.C.Schilling in Suhl and is with a steel scabbard, the hilt has lugs as a reduction of a muzzle ring, as well as no fireguard above the grips. These versions are now rarely encountered, as they were usually later fitted with a fireguard and the lugs filed down.

The next two examples shown are a SG 98/05 sawback in a steel scabbard and dated 1916. This example is made by E.& F. Hörster in Solingen. The shorter bayonet is a SG 84/98 n.A. (new type) with fireguard and sawback and was issued with a steel scabbard. The blade on this example was made by Gebrüder Heller in Marienthal. The other marking to the reverse of the blade is a crowned ERFURT mark, where the weapon was produced. This example has no date stamp to the spine of the blade. The grips are of fine walnut.

In the course of the war the Allies threatened to kill all prisoners who were found carrying sawback weapons, so the Germans began to withdraw these and file the sawback down.

Recommended literature: Preussisch-Deutsche Seitengewehre 1807-1945 by Rudiger Franz, Journal-Verlag Schwend, 1994

(appearing in several volumes)

 

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1884/98 old type, 2 examples, blades of varying lenghts, original leather scabbards

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as before, and centre - M.1871/84, scabbard missing, I.R.31

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M.84/98 old type, two examples: first one mismatched - 18.R.7.x? and scabbard:  63.R. 9. 35
Second:  16 R.3.134 - Inf.-Regt.16 3. Kompagnie, weapon no.134
R = Regiment, French styled R = Reserve-Regiment+
The original numbering has been officially deleted (always still legible) for a change of weapon number!

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84/98 old type, one example with crown and Erfurt mark

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Both blades with W and (18)87, one with RC for Revisions-Commission

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1898 Bayonet, long, 2 variations, 1st and 2nd type. They were withdrawn from active service around November 1914!

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Bayonet and scabbard are from two different regiments.

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Note damaged scabbard tip (eaten away by corrosion)

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2nd type, heavily corroded and damaged scabbard tip has now been expertly restored using an original re-worked replacement part!
Many thanks to Michael St., did a very good job.

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2 examples M.1898/05, leather scabbard, dated 1914
and steel scabbard, 1915, first type with reduced ring lugs and without flashguard.
I remember getting the 1914 example complete with frog and knot of 2.Kompanie from an antique dealer in Altona, Günther Lange, he told me had been with SS-Division Wiking and had been highly decorated
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1898/05, older type with reduced ring lugs but with later steel scabbard, 1915 - without flashguard

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1898/05 with dates, 1914, 1915 and 1916

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M.98/05 with various makers

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M.98/05 with sawback, with flashguard and steel scabbard, 1916
M.84/98 new pattern with sawback and flashguard, undated, steel scabbard

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M.71/84 and 84/98 new pattern with flashguard and sawback with crowned Erfurt stamp. Both with very fine quality wooden grips

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1884/98 new pattern with flashguard and sawback with makers mark: Gebr.Heller, Marienthal, crossguard stamped with number
1871/84 with maker mark: Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie., Solingen - crossguard stamped: 31.R.6.25 -Infanterie-Regt.31, 6. Komp., weapon number 25

 

 

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New detailed pictures and text added.

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  • 5 months later...

Very nice Fritz!

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  • 2 months later...

Das Tragezubehör

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Bayonet Frogs:
98/05, ink stamp J.R.76 and maker: Sattler-Innung, Hamburg. Iron rivets. Stamped "I"
from a 98/02 long, older pattern. illegible marking with a Troddel of 12.Komp. Copper rivets
84/98, new type, copper rivets, Berlin makers mark

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Seitengewehrtroddeln - Bayonet knots for foot soldiers
I. Bataillon
1. Kompagnie, Eigentumsstück
2. Kompagnie, Kammerstück (issue)
3. Kompagnie, Eigentumsstück
4. Kompagnie, Eigentumsstück
Jäger Troddel, Eigentumsstück, mit geschlossener Eichel (private purchase type)

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Preußen: Unteroffiziers Troddel
Jäger Troddel, Kammerstück - strap has been replaced at some stage
Preußen, Troddel für Kapitulanten*

*Als Kapitulant wurde in der preußischen bzw. deutschen kaiserlichen Armee bis 1918 ein freiwillig länger dienender Soldat bezeichnet. Grundlage war das „Gesetz über die Verpflichtung zum Kriegsdienst“ vom 9. September 1814.
A Kapitulant was a volunteer serving for a longer period in the Prussian army, this position was created by a law of 9. September 1814, "Law concerning the obligation to war service"

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Faustriemen (for swords)
Kavallerie, 2. Eskadron
Artillerie, 2. Batterie
Kavallerie, 3. Eskadron
Husars had an all black leather knot
On the first two examples the small plaited leather Schieber is missing

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Preußen: Offiziers Portépées. Originally patent leather with silver trim, much wear
to finish and silver dulled in places. Worn on swords. A slightly smaller version was
worn on the later officer trench knives.

The other German states had their own patterns and state colours of knots for officers and NCOs.
 

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I have seen a lot of the leather strap versions lately. Nice items.

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  • 5 weeks later...

Latest addition is a Bayonet M.98/05 a.A. first type. Made by Alex Coppel, Solingen, this is a Bavarian issue dated 1911 and stamped on the back of the blade with crown O 11 (König Otto von Bayern, 1886-1916). The steel fireguard is a wartime modification (1915), the leather scabbard has been replaced by an all steel scabbard, the wooden grips are probably also a later wartime replacement, almost perfect condition with just some shrinkage to wood.
Crossguard is marked to the underside: B.2.A.F.7.152, being (Bavarian) 2. Fuss Artillerie, 7. Batterie/Kompagnie, weapon no.152
The bayonet has some pitting and rust spots in places, but minimum. All metal parts are in a blackened condition, but are not blued(?)* This bayonet was probably exposed to gas (Chlor), which is known to affect iron and other metals almost instantaneously.
Has now been lightly cleaned with WD40 to remove surface dust and loose rust, considering further cleaning.

Possibly re-issued in World War 2 along with the Kar 98a, has, however, no further markings, but the indictation that the entire weapon has been blued at that stage. The almost perfect wooden grips may also have been replaced at re-issue.
*probably blued as re-issue Wehrmacht or other units, new grips and grip screws also renewed after 1939 reissued to Polizei, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe ground personnel, RAD, etc. and possibly to early Waffen-SS and Verfügungstruppe

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Nice bayonet. It is true that Chlorine gas can affect metal and degrade it over time, sodium hypochlorite (used to make chlorine gas) can also turn steel black as well. This was used in WW1 as well, for aid stations as an anti-septic. Without knowing its history, you may never really know. But your cleaning efforts look fantastic, especially the wood grips, great job!

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I haven't touched the wooden grips so far, the photos are, as arrived.

Have since discovered on 2 different pages recently emerged, one example on a UK page, the other in Austria, one of these bayonets has an acceptance mark crowned 'O' and 1912, the other without a detailed description but otherwise identical, apart from the lugs on the first example. Apparently 3rd Reich re-issue.

https://www.csmilitaria.co.uk/photos/9361.jpghttps://www.csmilitaria.co.uk/photos/9361b.jpg

https://www.csmilitaria.co.uk/photos/9361f.jpg

https://www.csmilitaria.co.uk/photos/9361d.jpg

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Further example, with crowned 'O' 12, and maker, Alex Coppel, otherwise identical. Screw for scabbard throat is missing.
Internet photos

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  • 8 months later...

Why can I not find anything on mine that others seem to have? I just have an SD and the one mark on the spline, do you have any idea what the value is?

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Could you post a few photos for an estimate?

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