This German S1884/98 nA bayonet was made by Richard A. Herder of Solingen in 1917. The second pattern of the 1884/98 knife bayonet was first produced in 1915 and was used with the Mauser Gewehr 98 rifle. Most dated S84/98 bayonets were made in 1915, with production ending around 1917.
The 250mm single-edged blade has a broad single fuller below a flat spine and terminates in a spear point. The blade is in very good condition. There are faint speckles of pale tarnish along its length and the blade retains its fighting edge. The ricasso is marked with the maker’s trademark and name. The spine is stamped with the production/acceptance date of 1917, an inspection mark and royal cypher.
The blued steel hilt is in great condition. The pommel bears an inspection fraktur mark. A flash protector was added to the back of the grip of the second pattern to avoid the wooden scales being scorched by the G98 rifle’s muzzle flash. The press-stud mechanism is in good working order and the wooden scales are in good condition with age and use related marks and wear.
The bayonet is complete with its blackened steel scabbard. The scabbard is in excellent condition. The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very good example of a WW1 German S1884/98 nA bayonet.
