Original German WWI Seitengewehr M1884/98 II Sawback Bayonet by Rich. A. Herder with WWII Scabbard and DAK Web Frog

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a M-1884/98 Second Model Bayonet (Seitengewehr), intended for use on the Mauser GEW 98 rifle. This 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 for the GEW 98 and Kar98a, and was not converted. Thee was a sawback version of this bayonet, but they are very seldom seen. The third model of the M1884/98 became the standard bayonet for the k98k rifle used during WWII.

The Cross Guard of the bayonet is marked 1920, indicating that this particular bayonet was One of the 100,000 permitted to be retained by the Army of the Weimar Republic after WWI as decreed in the Treaty of Versailles. This makes this an exceptionally rare example. All of these bayonets were returned to arsenal and refurbished with a blued finish.

Since then, this bayonet has seen long use, and even looks to have been reissued and used during WWII, most likely in North Africa! This example has a very nice set of original wood grips, with a nice aged hilt with a little rust and a great patina. Bayonet lock is fully functional, and it has the correct flash guard on the rear of the grip. The blade ricasso is clearly maker marked:

RICH. A. HERDER
(Diamond Trademark)
SOLINGEN

This company was founded in 1884 by one of the many branches of the Herder family of Solingen. They began making standard steelware such as knives, hammer, tweezers, and other tools. They began to specialize in drop forging, and supplied blade blanks to many companies during the WWI period. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS. 

The blade is also dated on the blade's spine 18 under a proof mark of a Crown over W., for Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the year the bayonet was accepted. The blade is in good used  condition, showing long use and sharpening. It definitely has the look of a bayonet that went through a war, was refurbished for the Weimar military, and then saw service again during WWII.

The bayonet is held in the standard all steel scabbard, as used in WWII. It is in very good shape, showing a few dents and wear to the finish. It is marked with serial number 1927 / e, and the back is stamped faintly with 41 agv, for 1941 manufacture by Berg & Co. of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

Bayonet and scabbard come complete with an original DAK web frog, which fits the scabbard nicely. The tan colored web frog is fully intact, showing long use in the field, which has stained it from great and dirt. The stitching is sound, though there is some wear to the reinforcement around the securing strap eyelet. There is a faint stamped marking on the back that we cannot make out.

All in all a nice example of the very rare M1884/94 II Bayonet of WWI, reissued for WWII, in good shape with scabbard and rare DAK web frog frog. Ready to display!

Dimensions:

Blade length: 9 7/8”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 15”
Crossguard: 1 1/2”
Scabbard length: 10 3/4"