A scarce maker, Imperial German 1898/05 n.A. bayonet by Move-Werke Walter & Co. Muhlhausen in Thuringen. Walter & Co. only produced the 98/05 and 84/98 MkII bayonets during WW1, the majority of their output being the latter model.
The 369mm single-edged blade has a wide, single fuller below a flat spine. The blade which is 26mm wide at the ricasso flares to a width of 33mm before tapering to a spear point earning it its nickname the “Butchers’ Blade” because of its similarity to such knives.
The blade is marked on the ricasso with the makers’ details, “Move-Werke Walter & Co. Muhlhausen in Thr.” The spine bears a German inspection fracture, but interestingly, no royal cypher or manufacture date. Most 98/05 bayonets are stamped on the spine with the crowned W of Kaiser Wilmelm II and a two digit date, such as 15 for 1915.
The belly of the ricasso is stamped with what looks like a capital “H,” which may indicate that the blade was produced by Herder, as they were known to supply blade blanks to Walter & Co. during WW1. The blade is in fantastic, near mint condition with its original factory sharpened edge.
The steel of the hilt is also in excellent condition. The press-stud mechanism is in perfect working order. The birds’ head pommel is stamped with an inspection fracture. The wooden scales are in very good condition with a few use related dings and marks.
The bayonet is complete with its original blued steel scabbard. The scabbard is in fantastic condition and the bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly. The ball finial bears an inspection stamp.
This is a near mint condition example of the iconic German WW1 S98/05 bayonet by a hard to find maker.
