How to Find Correct Bayonet for my WW1 Rifle?

Hi Folks,
Just obtained a nice matching GEW98 - a 1917/1920 dual-dated Amberg.
Looking to obtain a bayonet and scabbard for it, that would have been a likely match as-issued for this rifle when first incarnated in WW1 form.
(I believe the rifle also saw some time in WW2 as it appears to be a duffle-cut GI bring back).
Looking through eBay, there appears to be many different WW1 Mauser bayonet types (lengths, sawbacks, butcher blades, etc)
How to decipher?

I already have a 1943 WW2 Bayo to go with my CE43 Mauser, but am looking to get educated in the WW1 vintages of bayonets.

Thanks

Look for an Amberg-made 98/05 (a.k.a. "butcherknife" ) bayonet and scabbard which is completely blued and is stamped 1920 on the crossguard. It may take you awhile but they are out there. You could certainly also get away with a 98/05 by any maker or an 84/98 type 2 (looks like a K98k WW-2 era bayonet but dated through 1918 on back of blade and has wood grips) by any maker also completely blued and crossguard-marked 1920. These would be "period" for the Reichswehr (to 1933). Since the "double-date" rifles were used right through 1945 a standard K98k bayonet would also be appropriate.

Thanks for the input.
So, a "1920" on the cross guard would indicate a similar German gov't "property" stamp as is on my rifle (above the 1917)?
At that time, they also re-claimed edged weapons after the War, in addition to firearms?
So, I'm on the lookout for an Amberg Butcher Blade with an original date of ???, and a re-issue date of 1920?
And what about the "Sawback" versions? Are those more valuable or less?
Thanks

BergerBoy said:

Thanks for the input.
So, a "1920" on the cross guard would indicate a similar German gov't "property" stamp as is on my rifle (above the 1917)? {Yes.}
At that time, they also re-claimed edged weapons after the War, in addition to firearms? {Yes}.
So, I'm on the lookout for an Amberg Butcher Blade with an original date of ???, and a re-issue date of 1920? {Or any blued s98/05 or S84/98/II blued, both with 1920. Amberg nice but not absolutely necessary.}
And what about the "Sawback" versions? Are those more valuable or less? {Sawbacks not issued after 1918.}
Thanks

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There's an "e f Horster Solingen" bayo for a GEW98 on eBay currently.
It says its marked 1920, but the 3 pix loaded are not clear.
I emailed the seller, and he confirms the 1920 is marked on the cross guard.
But he won't post any better pictures, and only wants to talk on the phone.
Think that's worth pursuing? He wants $175 Buy-it-Now only.

Which would be better for my rifle? A Solingen 1920 re-dated? or an Amberg not re-dated?

Thanks!

WaPrüf2 said:

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BergerBoy said:

Which would be better for my rifle? A Solingen 1920 re-dated? or an Amberg not re-dated?

Thanks!

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As WaPrüf2 mentioned in post #2, either one would be correct.

If an Sg98/05, Hörster isn't a bad maker, not as common as some. Not as hard to find as an Amberg though.. I hope for $175 it comes with a nice scabbard, seems a little high, but I haven't bought an Sg98/05 in years.

For that money I would hold out for one that you can have some certainty with, sellers who will not do more pictures on a purchase over $50 are best avoided. Imperial-interwar German bayonets are common enough that with some patience you can find any wartime maker in nice condition.

Here is a Amberg I use to own, it hadn't been sharpened, which is uncommon for Imperial bayonets, but it is Imperial (bright blade). I have seen interwar bayonets from this maker, so they are out there.

Here is what you want... sale text and pictures from the 2005 sale:

D115- Weimar Reissued S.98/05 Bayonet - 1920 and Infantry Unit Mark
S.98/05 n/A bayonet retains its Imperial era finish (it was not blued), fullered blade in fair polish has light age spots, period sharpened edge, ricasso with "F. Herder A.Sn. / Solingen" maker stamp and crossed keys logo on obverse and "Amberg" crown and arsenal stamp on reverse. Hilt has mellow age patina, dark walnut ribbed grips, and flashguard; ricasso has "1920" on reverse, and "2/.JR.6. 9" on obverse. Hilt also exhibits two Weimar era modifications: the slotted press stud and enlarged oil hole (which makes it much easier to attach the inventory tag!) Lacks scabbard. Scarce unit marked Reichswehr bayonet. II- $145.00

Good find Paul, that is a good price on that bayonet, with the unit marking it could sell for a a fair amount beyond the listed price. For some reason or other, the Weimar period is considered the poor stepsister of the German military collectables and people seem to feel they are worth less but, for what it's worth, I disagree.

At any rate, I am having trouble finding any Sg98/05 bayonets under $150 these days. I miss the days when I could have all of them I wanted for less than $50. *sigh*

I hear you TP, you could really find nice ones on the cheap, compared to far more common Sg84/98 III bayonets. There is no going back I guess, and high prices are here to stay on Imperial and interwar used bayonets, especially unit marked ones!

So, I just won the bidding on eBay for a 98/05 Bayonet.
Butcher blade with original (?) scabbard and frog.
Its a Fichtel & Sachs manufacture, with a 17 on the blade spine along with 2 crown markings.

The most attractive aspect of this bayonet, is that it is a 1917 original issue, with a 1920 German property date on the cross guard.
This would be a good match for my rifle, even if not remarked with Amberg arsenal to truly be of the same DNA as the rifle.

Maybe spent a little more than I had hoped ($173), but I don't see very many double-dated bayo's available, and this one had both the 1917 and 1920 matches to my rifle.

How'd I do?

At $173 I think you did okay. Fair amount of finish left and a frog. No sir, the price is not bad at all. Congratulations.

I agree with TP, you did pretty well considering all that was included. Further, Fichtel & Sachs is often Bavarian cypher and fits nearly as well as an Amberg would. I guess prices have really risen on bayonets, even in this bad economy.

Thanks all.
Here are some photos from the tear-down and cleaning I did on this bayonet when it arrived this weekend.
Interesting markings all around, and underneath.
I'd like to get expert inputs on some of the symbols shown, especially the significance of the 2 different crowns and the "L" (?) and "h" under the crowns on the back edge of the blade. What do the letters signify?
I see several "98" stampings on the undersides of components, assuming this was to distinguish the 98 bayo's parts from others they were manufacturing at the same facility at the time?

I'm not sure if there's the same level of interest in examining and cataloging bayonet markings to trace their history - as there is on the rifles themselves.
But I thought I'd send this along, at least to help educate myself.

Overall, its a nice piece, with really nice blueing on the blade, the pommel/guard, and the scabbard.
The blade looks to be sharpened somewhat but professionally,and has no nicks or dings.
The wood on the handle is also in nice shape except for a little dent that coincides with the dent in the flash guard (looks like the user smashed on something hard with the handle).

The frog has no markings that I can see (am I looking in the right spots? or close enough?).

Any additional input on the markings and the history would be appreciated!

The "L" is the Bavarian cypher for King Ludwig III, your bayonet was made for the Bavarian Army; which is not surprising as most F&S were, they were located in Bavaria. The "98" is probably "86" as the period usually is used to "right" the numbers (and the smaller "circle" in an "8" should be on top). They are probably assembly numbers, so the parts can be arranged back together. There are books on the Sg98/05, Carter's the most well known. Bruce wrote one on the Sg84/98 II but is very elusive today. They might give you more details on the meaning of the numbers, or at least the author's opinion on the meaning. If I have time later, I will see if I can see if the books say anything on this.

The crowned letters are like waffenamts, they represent inspection and acceptance. They just represent the inspector who the teams worked under. (His authority, he didn't inspect every part or bayonet).

I do not think they made other bayonets, they might have, just no recollection of them. They are best known for the bicycles the company made, in the interwar period especially they are known for a motorized version of a bicycle, it has a small motor to propel the bicycle. I am not sure what they did during WWII..