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 plain back version was identified as the S98/05.
At the beginning of WWI 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 modified by grinding off most of the vestigial muzzle ring (high ears), reducing the back of the tang and adding a steel flash guard.
To distinguish between newly made bayonets with the flash guard and almost no muzzle ring (“short ears”), newly produced ones were designated S98/05nA (for neuer Art - new type) while the addition of the letters “aA” (alter Art- old type) designated an original bayonet that had been modified.
The change over between the aA and the nA patterns led to bayonets that were neither one version or the other, these are known as transitional pattern bayonets. This means that you can find “high eared” aA bayonets with flash guards, and “low eared” nA without. The length of the “ears” on the vestigial muzzle ring, along with the date stamp on the spine are used to identify the base model. Transitional S98/05 bayonets are rare.
Rarer still are un-altered first pattern S98/05 bayonets like this one. This original S98/05 was made in 1915 by Alex Coppel, Solingen. The bayonet has “high ears” and no flash guard.
The 36.5 cm single edged blade has a wide, single fuller which meets the flat spine. The blade which is 26mm wide at the ricasso flares to a width of 32mm before tapering to a point earning it its nickname the “Butchers’ Blade” because of its similarity to such knives. The blade is marked on the ricasso with the maker’s name “Alex Coppel, Solingen.” The spine carries the Royal Cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia above the date stamp “15” (1915) and a crowned acceptance stamp. On the obverse there is what looks like an ampersand mark “&.”
The blade is in almost mint condition.
The quillion bears the regimental mark “5. 361.” Possibly for the 5th Guard Regiment of Foot which saw action on the Western front (the Somme, Flanders etc).
The steel of the hilt bears many inspection and acceptance stamps, the rivets/screws which hold the wooden scales in place are stamped on both parts, the working press stud is stamped and the pommel bears two inspection/acceptance stamps.
The wooden scales are in excellent condition.
The rolled steel scabbard is in fine condition with barely any tarnishing and no rust. There are minor dents to the end of the scabbard which is not uncommon with this model due to its length. The steel ball at the end of the scabbard is stamped with an inspection mark as is the throat of the scabbard.
Condition wise this is an almost mint bayonet and was probably taken as a trophy early in its service which is why it was never modified and is in such good condition.
Un-altered bayonets, regimentally marked and in such great condition are very hard to find.
