Could this be a K.S. Sawback bayonet?

[Herero Mauser]

In 1986, several years before I got the K.S. Mauser, I got this bayonet from a Namibian friend.

The manufacturer is Erfurt and the date is 04, which put it into the correct timeframe for the deployment of the K.S. to the Herero War, but unlike other K.S. bayonets the numbering is very indistinct, unlike the examples at germancolonialuniforms.com, shown below.



The bayonet is the correct length and has the period correct leather handle.





The date of manufacture is 1904.

There are some very indistinct symbols, could be a 3 and an 8, on the bayonet..


There are strange wear patterns, roughly 1.5 inches from the handle on both sides of the blade, perhaps indicating that this bayonet has spent a long time in a scabbard whilst being worn by a horse of camel rider.




Any assistance in the proper identification of this bayonet will be sincerely appreciated.

 

[AndyB]

It could be so marked, i assume the reverse crossguard was filled most probably the unit was removed. The inner spring of scabbard worried a touch area on blade under ricasso, not typical to see so heavy damage in that area. K.S.11067 would be probably the nearest size stamp as the S is not so large as on other samples. The scabbard should have identical proof as is on pommel and spine.

 

[Herero Mauser]

It could be so marked, i assume the reverse crossguard was filled most probably the unit was removed. The inner spring of scabbard worried a touch area on blade under ricasso, not typical to see so heavy damage in that area. K.S.11067 would be probably the nearest size stamp as the S is not so large as on other samples. The scabbard should have identical proof as is on pommel and spine.

Thanks AndyB, much appreciated