German WW1 S98/05 m.S. Saw Back “Butcher’s Blade” Bayonet.
The S98/05 bayonet was typical of German bayonets of the period in that it only had a vestigial muzzle ring, often referred to as “high ears”. The bayonet relied on the length of its hilt mounting to fix the blade to its rifle. The bayonet was originally issued in two patterns, one with a saw back and one without. The saw back version was known as the S98/05 m.S. (mit Säge - with saw). Only 6% of S98/05 bayonets were made with the saw back.
At the beginning of WW1 it was found that the S98/05 had a problem when used with the Karabiner 98 rifle, the shorter barrel on this model caused burning and damage to the grips as the barrel finished before the vestigial muzzle ring so in 1915 it was decided to fit a steel flash guard to the back of the hilt to protect the grips.
The bayonet was further modified by grinding off most of the vestigial muzzle ring and reducing the back of the tang.
As a result of allied propaganda, which claimed that the saw back was designed to inflict horrific wounds (which led to the mistreatment of German soldiers captured with a saw back blade) the decision was made in 1917 to cease production of the saw back version of the S98/05 and to grind off the saw from those already issued or to recall and re-issue them to non-front line troops.
This S98/05 m.S was made in 1916 by Waffenfabrik Mauser and is marked accordingly on the ricasso. The spine bears the date stamp “16” and a crown over the letter “W” and a partially struck inspection stamp. The front of the quillion is stamped with the letter “N.” On some Imperial German Navy bayonets the letter “N” was used to denote the "Nordsee" base at Wilhelmshaven but it is usually accompanied by a weapon number.
The 36.5cm blade is in good condition with no rust or tarnishing. The saw back has wear and damage to some of the teeth.
The wooden grip scales are in good condition. The left-hand scales have four circular punch marks, each of which contain three diagonal lines but I am unsure what (if anything) these denote.
Being of 1916 production, the hilt has a steel flash guard and shortened “ears.” The pommel is stamped with an inspection mark (waffenampt) and the press stud locking mechanism works perfectly.
The steel scabbard is original to the bayonet and bears the Mauser maker’s mark. The scabbard has a good patina and some small areas of mild pitting and dents.
Over-all this is a fair example of a rare German saw back bayonet.
