This was designed for the model 1898 Mauser carbine, hence the flash guard on the back of the hilt. The forte is marked 'Waffenfabrik Mauser a.c. Obendorf a.N.'. It was designed for pioneer troops within infantry, artillery, fortress and railway units. There is a Prussian ordnance acceptance stamp for 1916 on the back of the forte.
The blade measures nearly 14.5" and has been cleaned off with emery at some stage. All the hilt mounts have been polished. The grips are in good shape with some minor edge staining from oil at the periphery. The frog stud swivels 360 degrees in its socket - it has obviously come loose with age. There is the remains of blue finish to the scabbard and some old speckled rust.
The goatskin Turkish frog suggests that this weapon was issued to Turkish troops at some point. I have photographs in my archives showing them carrying such a weapon. Its stitching is a little a/f at the corners and there is the odd wormhole on the face. Goatskin frogs can always be identified by the use of a double thickness of leather in their creation.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Edged Weapons : Bayonets : German : 20th Century]
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