Mauser dress bayonet, model/Gew. 1898, German (c 1914)

Title	Mauser dress bayonet, model/Gew. 1898
Nationality	German
Period	c 1914

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This is a private purchase example. The issue bayonet was made of steel throughout, with the exception of walnut grips, and normally had a leather scabbard with iron mounts. This all-steel scabbard is an issue example, the throat being stamped with a crown and the remains of a royal monogram underneath.

The bayonet possibly dates from as early as 1905, but the all-steel scabbard was a war-time construction for the Mauser series of German bayonets, starting in 1915.

The hilt is a brass casting with a heavy, good quality nickel silver finish and fruitwood grips, typical of private purchase bayonets. Moreover, the slot for the cleaning rod is not drilled through and, therefore, would not normally be mounted on a rifle, which, of course, had the cleaning rod sticking out in front of the bayonet boss and went right through the grip.

These 'extra' bayonets were purchased normally by NCOs as a 'walking out' side arm, which they could wear when they went out of the barracks for whatever reason, the issue bayonet staying in the armoury or the man's locker.

The hilt has virtually all its original finish. There is one small patch of pitting (perhaps a few mms square at the most) in one of the fullers of the blade, which has a nickel silver 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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