Bajonet 98/05 mit säge (sawback)

The 98 sawback bayonet is a rare and highly sought-after WWI German military antique, known for its distinctive saw-toothed blade. It was officially designated as the S98/05 S or m.S. ("mit Säge" - with saw). The Seitengewehr 98 (S98) bayonet was designed for the German Mauser Gewehr 98 rifle. Due to the experiences of WWI combat, variations with shorter and sturdier blades were introduced, including the S98/05, often referred to as the "butcher bayonet" because of its shape. The sawback versions were primarily issued to pioneer (engineer) and machine gun units for practical tasks like chopping wood and clearing brush. Only about 6% of the total production of these bayonets were fitted with a sawback. This makes them particularly scarce and desirable for collectors. The sawback feature was phased out during the war, and many existing sawbacks were ground off due to negative Allied propaganda that portrayed their use as a war crime.

This item:
This sawback is in a pristine condition. It comes with it's original supple brown leather frog with maker markings and dated 1915. The scabbard is in a mint condition. The blade is mint and the tip as sharp as a needle, it fit's like a glove in the scabbard. The blade is marked Crown over "W" over "16" what indicates it's production year was 1916. Blade has proof marks on both sides, as well as the pommel and guard. Blade is maker marked by Simson & Co from Suhl. The wood is in a very nice condition. A very nice and hard to find bayonet in this condition.