Bayonet help please

[Richie B]

Hi Richie,thanks for the info!,ive had a look on the blade by the hilt and there is definately a 5 there and what looks like a 1 but also looks a bit like a w?,unless its a scratch or just my eyesight!.
I can understand them not wanting to be caught by the allies with one of these!. The blade is 15 inches long too!. I would like to try cleaning it up possibly,could anybody reccomend anything or should i just leave it as is?

Mark

W = Wilhelm - the Kaiser
15 = 1915 - the date of acceptance into service.

Something like this (but without the Crown/RC) ?

Cleaning - remove any loose muck with oil and a cloth. I would keep it oiled to prevent any further corrosion developing but apart from that I would be inclined to leave it as a very interesting relic.

Regards

Richie

[darrenj40]

Sawback bayonets were issued to German Engineer troops...

[cornish1]

Richie,yes thats it,but now looking at yours i see mine does have a crown above the W and beneath the 15 there is a C,i cant see an R but there is a definate C??. This is very intruiging for me!. I`ll take your advice on the oily cloth,the only problem with the sheath is that because of the bullets that have hit,its a bit of a push and pull to get the blade in or out unfortunately,nothing i can do about it tho.Thats just part of its history i have to accept. Many many thanks for yor help ,this is my 1st bayonet so im a tad excited!
Mark

[Bill Grist]

Very nice German 98/05 with great battle damage...BILL

[crazy horse]

I know I'm a newbie & many of you already know this, but i read that if a German soldier was captured with one, that still had the saw part, they were executed, I guess the main reason they ground them down, that is a nice battle scarred piece, wouldn't it be nice if it could talk.I used to have a field gun ammo bag that had a bit of battle damage, well my neighbor's little boy loved that bag so much I gave it to him.

[Richie B]

Richie,yes thats it,but now looking at yours i see mine does have a crown above the W and beneath the 15 there is a C,i cant see an R but there is a definate C??. This is very intruiging for me!. I`ll take your advice on the oily cloth,the only problem with the sheath is that because of the bullets that have hit,its a bit of a push and pull to get the blade in or out unfortunately,nothing i can do about it tho.Thats just part of its history i have to accept. Many many thanks for yor help ,this is my 1st bayonet so im a tad excited!
Mark

Mark

The marking nearest the hilt on the blade back is an inspection stamp. There is always a crown followed by a different letter - in your example the letter C.

These stamps were also found on the pommel and the scabbard.

Regards

Richie

[cornish1]

Thanks for all your help and comments guys,very much appreciated as i knew absolutely nothing about it!.I`m glad you like it . I only have a small collection of things but this is definately my favourite out of them. I find the battle damage very thought provoking,and the sawback brings it all home!. So out of curiosity is this "relic" iilegal in the uk?,i`ve heard some say possibly but nobody sems to know for sure. I mean its not like i`m going to out brandishing it or anything.Like i said just curious really. Anyway thanks again for all your help guys...

Mark.

[Richie B]

Mark

Perfectly legal to own - no bayonet charges down the High Street though

Richie

[ncblksmth1]

That is too "f##kin Cool". "tink tink tink." Why does my leg feel warm? Why is the world spinning? Whats that bright light?

[cornish1]

Thanks Richie,i didnt think it was illegal but thought i`d ask, you never know these days,they change the rules like the weather!.