Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the rare Kurzes Seitengewehr (Short Sidearm) M1898 Sawback Dress Bayonet, complete with its black-painted scabbard and a 1917-dated leather frog.
Intended for use on the Mauser GEW 98 rifle, the bayonet design is based on the earlier M1871/84 bayonet with a 10 inch blade, and the first model of these were converted from those bayonets. This example was purpose made in this size, and was not converted. The sawback version of these are very rare, and seldom seen. For more information on the variations of this type, please see Watts & White, The Bayonet Book, Pages 120-122.
This example has a very nice set of original checkered bakelite grips, held in place by three steel rivets. We usually see these with leather grips, but WWI was during the time when Bakelite was first being popularized, so it was also sometimes used. The bird's head pommel is in good shape, with a lovely oxidized patina, and the bayonet lock is fully functional. It does not look like this bayonet was ever nickel plated, so it may have been issued "in the white".
The blade is in very good condition, with only a bit of staining on the bright finish, and the original "sawback" is still quite sharp.
The blade is marked on the ricasso with the double trademark "King's Helmet" (Ritter-helm) alongside a "Kings's Head" (königskopf) over W.K. & C. logo of legendary German maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. This trademark is used on privately purchased blades and walking out bayonets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is absolutely correct for this sword. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making.
Per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.
The scabbard is straight throughout and still has over 90% of the original black enamel paint. This really is a great scabbard, with very little age related degradation. The body is held by the included black leather frog, which is in good condition. It is still in good shape, with intact stitching, and the leather is not overly stiff. The frog is stamped BERLIN 1917 on the reverse.
All in all a nice example of the very rare dress Short Model 1898 Sawback Bayonet of WWI, in good shape with the correct scabbard and frog. Ready to display!
Dimensions:
Blade length: 10 1/8”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller & Sawback
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 2 3/8”
Scabbard length: 10 3/4"
