This is stamped KS for Kaiserliche Schutztruppen, the colonial troops of German SW Africa, is dated 1910 and marked ERFURT at the forte. These bayonets, which fit the standard G98 rifle, were carried by the European sergeants. It is now quite a rare bayonet and this particular example has matching numbers to bayonet and scabbard.
The grips have very slight shrinkage, but, alas, a considerable degree of wear to the chequering, fairly normal for anything that's been used in the tropics. The blade is a little distorted at the end from opening tin cans and such like, however the teeth are nice and sharp and all markings are still crystal clear. I've left the metalwork in a plum brown finish; with a little TLC this could be brought up bright should it be desired. There is the remains of some blue finish to the top of the reverse of the scabbard. The hilt would originally have been a bright polish finish.
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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