Germany (Post WW I)

Bayonet Collectors’ Network






	During the 1933-1945 period, the Germans used three different marking systems on M1884/98 Third Pattern bayonet to identify manufacturers: First were the Number Codes (e.g., S/155) used from 1934-1937. Second were the Commercial Trademarks (e.g., E u F. Horster) used from 1937-1940/41. Third were the Letter Codes (e.g., cof) used from 1940/41 - 1945. Click here for a complete listing of codes and makers. Click here for my article on the M1884/98 III bayonet.

Pictures

Type

Description

Blade Length

Overall Length

Muzzle Ring Diameter

Markings

M1884/98 III

Third pattern knife bayonet designed for use with the famous Kar 98k rifle of WW II. This bayonet will also fit on many other Mauser bolt-action rifles that were based on the M1898.

This example was made in 1937 by Richard A. Herder, Solingen, Rathausstrasse 20-22, Germany. The blade is marked with the maker’s name, as was customary from 1937-1940. 1937 Richard A. Herder named bayonets are uncommon.

This example has wood grips.

10.00

15.25

n/a

Ricasso: "Rich. A. Herder" and "3228"

Spine: "37"

Proofs: "WaA25?", located on: pommel (2x), stud nut, backstrap, under grips, underside of both grips, and scabbard ball.

Scabbard: "Rich. A. Herder" and "3228"

M1884/98 III

Another pre-war example of the M1884/98 III.

This example was made in 1939 by the Elite-Diamant Werke A.G., Siegmar-Schönau, near Chemnitz, Germany. This bayonet came in the DAK web frog shown below.

Before World War II, the Elite Diamant Werks (Elite Diamond Works) produced bicycles. The first Diamant bicycles were made in 1885. During World War II, they also produced small motorcycles. After World War II, the Works fell into Russian hands and became part of the East German State. The company continued producing bicycles and developed alloy bicycle components, including the first alloy bicycles. Diamant bicycles won world road race championships in the late 1950s. Diamant was privatized in 1992, following German reunification, and, today, is the oldest bicycle factory still operating in Germany.

9.875

15.00

n/a

Ricasso: "Elite-Diamant" and "4156" over "d"

Spine: "39"

Pommel: "WaA218" twice.

Scabbard: "Elite-Diamant" over "39" and "4156" over "d". Illegible Waffenampt on ball tip.

M1884/98 III

Wartime example of the M1884/98 III. This example was made in 1942 by Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co., Waffenfabrik, Solingen Wald.

The blade and scabbard are marked with a three-letter maker’s code, as was customary from 1940-1945.

This example has wood grips.

According to M1884/98 III researcher Andrej 'Andy' Blazicek, the letter suffix is an "N". cvl used special Sutterlin font where the “N” looked like /\/\/.

10.00

15.25

n/a

Ricasso: "42 cvl" and "9578" over “N”

Scabbard: "42 cvl" and "9578" over “N”

Pommel: "WaA 519" "WaA 519"