Sword bayonet for use with the 11 mm. M1871 Mauser rifle.  This bayonet was also used extensively with the 8 mm. M1888 Commission Rifle.

The M1871 bayonet has an unusual brass grip with diagonal serrations on the right grip, while the left grip is smooth.

The blade was manufactured by Gebruder Simpson in Suhl. Gebruder Simpson became Simpson & Co. in 1880. However, the bayonet was assembled by the Prussian Royal Arsenal at Erfurt. The blade is marked with the Royal Cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia (reigned 1861-1888).

A note regarding German Royalty: The German Empire was a confederation of semi-independent states. The king of Prussia served as the imperial head of state and was given the title Kaiser (emperor). The monarchs of the smaller German states held the title König (king).

Both the bayonet and scabbard have matching regimental markings.

I corresponded with Anthony Carter on this piece, because of the regimental markings it carried. Anthony wrote the following, " . . . It's the first bayonet I've ever recorded marked to this regiment, so it was good to hear about it. In 1878, the date of the bayonet, the Regiment's long title in English was: Grenadier Regiment King Friedrich II (3rd East Prussian) No. 4."

First pattern example of the M1898, known as the a/A (alter Art = older model), with the scarce one-piece wood grip.  This was the first bayonet produced for use on the 8 mm. Mauser Gewehr 98 Rifle made famous during WWI.  This bayonet also fits on many later Mauser bolt-action rifles that were based on the Gew 98.

These long, slender blades are often called “quillback” or "pipeback" blades, due to the round spine that runs through the blade like the quill of a feather.

This example was made in 1902 by Simson & Co., Suhl.  According to John Walter's book, The German Bayonet, Simson began making the M1898 in 1902 and the change to the two-piece grip was implemented by May 1902. This would have allowed only a few months during which Simson produced bayonets with the one-piece grip.

This example carries the Royal Cypher of König Georg of Saxony. Georg reined only two years, from 1902-04.

Both the bayonet and scabbard have matching regimental markings. The regiment to which it belonged was the Königliches Sächisches (Leib) Grenadier Regiment Nr. 100 [Royal Saxon (life guard) Grenadier Regiment No 100]. This historic regiment was one of the most prestigious units in the Kingdom of Saxony. It was formed in 1670 in Dresden. At the beginning of WW I in 1914, it was the third oldest regiment in the entire German Army.

The slender leather scabbard was prone to damage due to its extreme length.  This example evidences a repair near the tip.

Second pattern example of the M1898, known as the n/A (neuer Art = newer model), The n/A had the more common two-piece wood grip.

This example was made in 1906 by Simson & Co. in Suhl.  It carries the Royal Cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia (reined 1888-1918). Wilhelm II was the "Kaiser Wilhelm" of World War I fame.

Like the M1871 and M1898 a/A bayonets above, this piece is regimentally marked. I corresponded with Jeff Noll, author of The Imperial German Regimental Marking, and he wrote that, “your quillback was issued by the 3rd Oberschlesisches Infantry Regiment Nr. 63, 12th Kompangie, Waffe Nr. 132. [63rd Upper Silesia Infantry Regiment, 12th Company, Weapon Number 132].

First pattern example of the M1898/05 sword bayonet, for use with the 8 mm. Mauser Gewehr 98 Rifle. The M1898/05 superceded the M1898, whose long, slender blade was prone to breakage.

The M1898/05 was the most common German bayonet of the First World War.

These are often called “butcher blades,” due to their resemblance to a butcher’s knife of the period. This example was made in 1910 by Simson & Co, Suhl. Early Simson examples are fairly scarce.

Second pattern example of the M1898/05 sword bayonet, with a sawback blade.

This example was made in 1916 by Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co., Solingen. It carries the Royal Cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia

Sawback bayonets were used by pioneer and machine gun troops to clear vegetation and other obstructions (much as U.S. machine gun crews used the various U.S. bolo knives and bayonets). Sawback blades were also carried by NCOs as a symbol of rank.

Blade (spine): Crown over "W" over "16"

Ricasso: "Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie, Solingen"

Pommel:  Fraktur proofmarks

Second pattern example of the M1884/98 knife bayonet.

The M1884/98 first pattern bayonets were M1871/84 bayonets altered ca. 1905 for use on the 8 mm. Mauser Gewehr 98 Rifle. These were discontinued in favor of the M1898/05 bayonet. However, the Germans returned to the M1884/98 design in 1915, as a way to use their limited steel supply more efficiently.

This example was made in 1917 by Gebruder Heller of Marienthal. It carries the Royal Cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia.

Ricasso (left): "Gebr. Heller" over "Marienthal"

Blade (spine): Crown over "W" over "17"

Pommel:  Fraktur proofmark

Carter #267 brown leather belt frog for carrying the M1898/05 sword bayonet. This frog came on the M1898/05 a/A bayonet shown above.

Measures 9.25 in. (235 mm.) long by 2.625 in. (67 mm.) wide.

According to Carter, The "BD III" marking, dated 1916, shows that the frog was made at the Clothing Depot of the III Bavarian Army Corps (Bekleidungs-Depot des III.  Bayerischen Armee-Korps), based near Nuremburg.  It is possible that frogs were supplied to the Depot before being issued, rather than being made there. The frog is also marked  to the 1st Bavarian Infantry Regiment who formed part of the III Bavarian Army Corps.