This scarce, early German S98/05 m.S. Saw-back “Butcher’s Blade” Bayonet was made in 1907 by Weyersberg & Kirschbaum of Solingen. The saw back version of the S98/05 was known as the S98/05 m.S. (mit Säge - with saw). Only 6% of S98/05 bayonets were made with the saw back and these bayonets were intended for use by pioneer battalions to clear brush for machinegun and artillery emplacements.
During WW1, allied propaganda suggesting that the saw teeth were intended to inflict horrific wounds led to the mistreatment of German soldiers captured with a saw-back blade. The decision was made in 1917 to cease production of the saw-back version of the S98/05 and to grind off the saw from those already issued, or to recall and re-issue them to non-frontline troops.
From 1915 onwards, S98/05 bayonets were retro-fitted with a steel flash guard on the back of the hilt to protect the wooden grips. Bayonets were further modified by grinding off most of the vestigial muzzle ring.
This bayonet was produced prior to these modifications and escaped the recall, increasing its rarity today.
The unaltered 368mm single-edged blade has a wide, single fuller below 29 pairs of very sharp saw teeth. The blade which is 26mm wide at the ricasso widens before tapering to a spear point earning it its nickname the “Butchers’ Blade” because of its similarity to such knives. The blade is in excellent condition with minor use related marks and retains its fighting edge.
The ricasso is stamped with the maker’s details, W. K. & C., Solingen. The spine bears an inspection fractur and the date stamp for 1907 below the crowned cypher of Wilhelm II.
The un-modified hilt is in great condition, retaining its original “high ears” and without a flash guard.
The wooden grip scales are in very good condition and are held firmly in place by the original bolts. The bolts and nuts bear fracture inspection stamps. The press-stud locking mechanism works perfectly and is stamped with an inspection mark. The bright steel pommel bears two crowned inspection/ownership stamps on the beak and one in front of the mortise slot.
The crosspiece is stamped with the unit marking, 12. P. 4. 32. Denoting the 12th Pioneer Battalion 4th company, weapon number 32. During WW1 there were 12 Prussian pioneer battalions of the line, comprising 18 officers and 495 men, making this quite a scarce unit marking. This bayonet was very likely a WW1 battlefield trophy. This would also explain how it came to retain its original configuration of long ears, no flash guard and saw teeth.
The bayonet is complete with its original first pattern steel mounted leather scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition. The steel furniture has a mild speckled patina and small areas of very shallow pitting. The stitching is intact and the leather has minimal shrinkage. The bayonet sheathes and draws ok but requires a sharp tug to fully remove it from the scabbard. I think the last saw teeth are catching on the leaf spring inside the scabbard locket.
This is a rare early example of the German S98/05 m.S., saw-backed “Butchers’ Blade” bayonet, with Pioneer battalion unit markings.
