This is a gunner's 'walking out' hanger, akin in purpose to the dress bayonets of the Third Reich era, ie to be worn with dress uniform when not on duty in barracks. The issue version of this weapon was a much more substantial affair, although both continued in use throughout WW1.

This has major differences when compared to the standard Prussian officer's knot, principally the outstanding quality of the bullion work and the yellow centre to the base and the yellow fleck in the bullion collar at the top of the knot (hence the possible Brunswick attribution).