German quillback bayonet M1898 n/A, metal scabbard

**norwest** · 02-15-2019, 10:16 PM

I got this bayonet several years ago. The regiment markings match on the scabbard and the bayonet, though the other side of the bayonet has a different marking. Was this a reissued bayonet? If so, which one was first? I don't have any references handy, but from doing some web searching, I think the date of manufacture was 1906 from the stamp on the spine. Am I close here?

--Kevin

**Chopperman** · 02-16-2019, 12:32 AM

I can't help with the Regimental markings but the date of mfg. is 1906.

**Anderson** · 02-16-2019, 03:43 AM

Imperial Saxony royal cypher for Friedrich August III. I rather think the first marking is "R XII" which I think we can assume is the 12th Saxon regiment. When absorbed into the Imperial army of WW1 under Prussian leadership in 1914, it was likely reassigned to the 131 regiment, 1st company and this being weapon 68.
Never very popular bayonets, the damn thing got stuck in the other guys ribs.

**Chopperman** · 02-16-2019, 05:18 AM

They may never have been popular but I like the looks of them and would still like to add one
to my collection.

**norwest** · 02-16-2019, 07:09 AM

Anderson, thank you very much for your learned reply. I wish I knew more about bayonets, but you can't know everything!

**habicht** · 02-16-2019, 03:33 PM

The earlier marking is most likely "R.XII.2" which is Reserve Army Corps 12 staff, weapon 2. The second markings are for the 131st Infantry Regiment, 1st Company, weapon 69 which was a Prussian regiment.