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Posted

My latest bayonet is an Imperial German s98aA Quillback marked GR02 from Saxony.

 

The s98 Quillback was designed by Germany and rather short lived, certainly not as popular as the s98/05 Butcher blade or the 84/98 series (later K98).

 

The bayonet is unique in having a very long thin blade. These were produced by Germany to counter the long Epee style Lebel bayonets of France. Basically a 'we have something longer than you to poke you with' type idea. But serious if the French can stab you and you are still a few inches short of doing the same (maybe even a foot short!).

 

The aA desigantion is to signify the first model wooden grip that is made of a single piece of wood. The later nA models had a 2 piece grip as the single piece grip was prone to breaking easily.

 

Saxony fielded these bayonets in aA, aAS (sawback), nA and nAS (sawback) types. Like most imperial bayonets there is a stamp on the top of the blade spine to designate year of service and under which Saxon King.

 

GR.. George Rex... King George ruled 19 June 1902 - 15 Oct 1904. As such 02, 03 and 04 bayonets do not pop up as much as others. I am lucky to have 2, a 98aA - 02 and 98nA - 04 showing the transition from aA to nA within the short period of time.

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Posted

Interesting stuff Greg,

 

so is it just Quillbacks you are collecting now? Will need to keep an eye out for those Saxon King George bayonets ,they must be quite scarce.Any pictures of it?

 

Kenny

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Posted
Interesting stuff Greg,

 

so is it just Quillbacks you are collecting now? Will need to keep an eye out for those Saxon King George bayonets ,they must be quite scarce.Any pictures of it?

 

Kenny

 

Well I have been on an Imperial German kick lately with Saxon bayonets as the favorite. Quillbacks are rather common, finding them from Saxony a bit more difficult but not too hard. The S98aA from Saxony is INCREDIBLY rare but unless you actually know that you'd think it any other S98aA... again it depends on if you collect it for the model or for the state of issue.

 

Saxon markings are as follows:

  • Crown over “JR” for King Johann, 1854-1873
  • Crown over “AR” for King Albert, 1873-1
  • Crown over “GR” for King Georg, 1902-1904
  • Crown over “FA” for King Friedrich August III, 1904-1918

 

(Kenny you actually have a Saxon Pioneer Sword in the shop that has been online for a while. These are common and I have not moved to collecting them yet)

 

Photos to compare are the grips and bayonets (top to bottom)

S98aA

S98nA

S98nAS (cutdown by Turkey)

All are saxon issue, you find a S98nAS or S98aAS in full version you call me quick! Else you will probably never ever see them.

post-17-1204570265_thumb.jpg

post-17-1204570286_thumb.jpg

Final photo is my Imperial collection here (others are in storage in the USA) they include the above plus an S14 cutdown (rare) and 84/98 Sawback with Late WWI Scabbard from Prussia.

post-17-1204570311_thumb.jpg

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Posted

Cheers Greg,

 

very nice and informative , if I get any Saxon S98nAS or S98aAS you'll be the first to know.

 

Kenny :)

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