Scarce, blued, Police issue German S98/05 Butcher’s Blade Bayonet by VC Schilling, Suhl.
This 2nd pattern S98/05 a.N. was made in 1917, probably never issued, and was refurbished and blued in 1920. From 1920-1923, newly made or refurbished S98/05 bayonets were stamped with “1920”.
The 372mm blackened blade has a flat spine and deep single fuller on both sides. The blade flares then terminates in a spear point and is in excellent condition with all the original blueing remaining. The blade is marked on the ricasso “VC Schilling” over “Suhl.” The spine is stamped with a crowned “W” inspection mark, the date “17” and a Waffenampt.
The steel cross guard is stamped 1920. This indicates that the bayonet was refurbished between 1920 and 1923 (in 1923, S98/05 bayonets were removed from service). In adherence to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was only able to produce a certain quantity of bayonets each year. Authorised bayonets were stamped with 1920 on the cross guard to indicate official use by the Weimar Republic (1919-1933). In the years between the Wars, S98/05 bayonets were only issued to select troops as a badge of honour. The blade and hilt of this bayonet would have been blackened for issue to police units.
There are some small areas of wear to the blackening of the crosspiece but the finish on the pommel and rest of the hilt is excellent. The wooden hilt scales are in very good condition and the press-stud locking mechanism works perfectly.
The steel scabbard is marked on the throat and ball finial with waffenampt. The scabbard has a couple of small, shallow dents and has scattered pitting all over. The scabbard has recently been repainted.
Despite the wear to the scabbard, this is a very good example of a highly collectable and scarce Weimar Republic police issue, blued S98/05 bayonet.
