Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the rare Kurzes Seitengewehr (Short Sidearm) M1898 Ex-Sawback Dress Bayonet, complete with a steel scabbard and Leather Frog by WKC. This is a private purchase example in “untouched” recently surfaced condition!

Intended for use on the Mauser GEW 98 rifle, the bayonet design is based on the earlier M1871/84 bayonet with a 10 inch blade, and the first model of these were converted from those bayonets. This example was purpose made in this size, and was not converted. The sawback version of these are very rare, and seldom seen with most of them like this one having been “sanitized”, removing all teeth from the spine. For more information on the variations of this type, please see Watts & White, The Bayonet Book, Pages 120-122.

This example has a very nice set of original stag horn grips, held in place by three steel rivets with only 1 minor crack by the top rivet. We usually see these with leather grips, but from time to time these “private purchase” examples are seen with a wide array of wood and horn handles. The bird's head pommel is in good shape, with the paint retained quite well, and the bayonet lock is fully functional.

The reverse ricasso is maker marked with the trademark "Knights-Head" (Ritter-helm) logo of WKC Waffenfabrik. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It was then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The blade is in very good condition, with only a bit of staining on the blade, and the
original "sawback" is ground smooth. The steel scabbard has a lovely patinated appearance, and is still solid, with some small dents and flaking to the black paint. The leather frog is in solid condition but does have cracking and crazing present in the finish with the scabbard button hole torn.

All in all a nice example of the very rare dress Short Model 1898 Ex-Sawback Bayonet of WWI, in good shape with the correct scabbard. Ready to display!

Dimensions:
Blade length: 9 7/8”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 15”
Crossguard: 1 1/2”
Scabbard length: 10 3/4"