German WW1 S98/05 m.S. Saw Back "Butcher's Blade" Bayonet.
The S98/05 bayonet was typical of German bayonets of the period in that it only had a vestigial muzzle ring, often referred to as "high ears". The bayonet relied on the length of its hilt mounting to fix the blade to its rifle. The S98/05 was originally issued in two patterns, one with a saw back and one without. The saw back version was known as the S98/05 m.S. (mit Sage - with saw). Only 6% of S98/05 bayonets were made with the saw back.
At the beginning of WW1, it was found that the S98/05 had a problem when used with the Karabiner 98 rifle. The shorter barrel of the KAR 98 caused burning and damage to the grips because the barrel finished before the vestigial muzzle ring, so in 1915 it was decided to fit a steel flash guard to the back of the hilt to protect the grips. The bayonet was further modified by grinding off most of the vestigial muzzle ring and reducing the back of the tang.
As a result of allied propaganda, which claimed that the saw back was designed to inflict horrific wounds (which 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-front line troops.
This S98/05 m.S was made in 1916 by Deutsche Maschinenfabrik A-G. Duisburg, and is marked accordingly on the ricasso. The spine bears the date stamp for 1916 and a crown over the letter "W" and a waffenampt (inspection stamp).
The 37cm blade is in excellent condition with no rust or tarnishing. The saw back has no wear and is as issued. The blade is bright and clean but does have scratches that look to be machining marks, which is not uncommon in wartime production bayonets.
The wooden grip scales are in good condition. The right-hand scale has some nibbling around the screws, presumably, from when the scales were removed in order to shorten the tang and weld on the flash guard.
The steel hilt furniture is stamped with numerous inspection marks (waffenampt) on the crosspiece, rivets and screws, pommel and by the flash guard. The press-stud locking mechanism works perfectly.
The black painted steel scabbard is in excellent condition and free from rust or damage. The throat of the scabbard bears a waffenampt. The scabbard is complete with its original leather infantry frog. The stitching is intact and the copper rivets are firm. The leather is sound but is showing its age.
Over all this is an excellent and hard to find example of a rare German S98/05 saw back bayonet.
