Short bayonet 98 or KS98

[MichaelWC]

After five years of looking. I finally got my hands on a KS98 bayonet used by the Schutztruppe. Before I go any further I have to think two people. First I have to thank Chris for spotting this bayonet and telling me about it. Second I have to thank Ted for letting me put the bayonet on lay away.
All right now to the bayonet itself. The bayonet is Manufactured by Erfurt. Property marking is W12 for William II 1912. The unit mark is Kaiserliche Schutztruppe weapon number 2837. The leather grips are held in with three rivets. The leather grips are in OK condition. One side of the grip is damaged but I'm not complaining.

The scabbard is a all steel construction. Unfortunately the scabbard doesn't have the same unit marking as the bayonet. Unit mark on the scabbard Kaiserliche Schutztruppe weapon number 3430. I am also okay if both bayonet and scabbard don't match. I am just excited to own one finally.

 

[Slash]

Congratulations on the new addition. I am a big fan of the kS98 and the Colonial unit markings are especially of interest. Well done .... I am also moving this so the Bayonets & Accessories subform.

 

[grimlin13]

I would gladly have that one in my collection.

 

[AndyB]

Nice win certainly, a sawback is clearly done, it would excellent sawing tool, the scabbard was used with frog. Should be looked to the inventory numbers, what for serials were used on rifles, as the KS are low and the production is late, it could replacements for lost items or more real it was new series started as some other are reported 5278 and 2174 same W12. blade doesnt look like mobilisation sharpened. On grips it looks more like depot storage damage. Congratulation on this piece.

 

[MichaelWC]

Thank you guys. I am pretty happy to own it. My Schutztruppe collection is slowly getting bigger.

 

[Jackson]

Regarding the unit marking K.S.2837. This was one of a batch of about 800 kS98 made in 1912 and sent to D.S.W.A. probably in the same year. They are all stamped in the exact same manner (no dots after letters or numbers) by a Schutztruppe armourer and are serialized from number 2164 - 2994.

Nice find.

Ian Jackson

Imperial German bayonets

www.imperial-german-bayonets.net