Regulation Pattern versus Dress versus Presentation

To better understand the Kaiserliche Marine Dress daggers and Presentation bayonets, it is helpful to examine the more established definition of 1920s – 1930s Weimar era Police bayonets with the regulation pattern Police bayonet being a full-length blade with a full-size handle with functional slot and push-button detent lock for attaching to a rifle vs. a smaller in proportion Police Dress bayonet with a shorter blade and smaller handle, without a slot for attaching to a rifle and a corresponding, non-functioning push lock detent.

Additional Police bayonet characteristics are the markings of which the full-length regulation bayonets, in addition to the maker and inspection marks are additionally identified to various police organizations vs. the Police dress bayonets of which, generally are not Police organization identified other than the maker marks. There are other nuances associated with Police bayonets, however, the above information is sufficient to discuss the comparable Kaiserliche Marine Seebataillon Officer Dress Daggers and Presentation bayonets.

The Kaiserliche Marine officer dress daggers or dirks are distinctly different from their later comparable Weimar era Police dress bayonets, specifically with their very fancy etched blades with ships and fouled anchors, which, unlike the later 1920s – 1930s Police dress bayonets, are not smaller versions of Kaiserliche Marine Presentation bayonets. These Imperial German Navy Officer Dress daggers were apparently important or symbolic to Germany, down to current times, as the firm of WKC SOLINGEN, an old time German sword manufacturing company, produced a unique Imperial German Navy Officer Dress Dagger to commemorate the 1990 reunification of Germany. EINIGHT – RECHT – FREIHEIT or UNITY – RIGHT – LIBERTY, in addition to standard commemorative offerings.

Kaiserliche Marine Seebataillon Presentation Bayonets

Featured are four extremely rare examples of the Seitengewhr 98 bayonets, three of the Kaiser’s navy and one of the Imperial German Army:

1. Kaiserl. I. Seebataillon,
2. Kaiserl. II. Seebataillon,
3. a unit marked Seitengewhr 98 leather scabbard and mismatched bayonet with added handle flashguard.
4. Imperial German Army Seitengewehr 98 Presentation Bayonet

The 1) and 2) examples are Seebataillon Imperial German Navy etched “Regulation New Pattern/Presentation” Seitengewhr 98 bayonets with original, mating leather scabbards.

The I. Seebataillon (marine infantry) was based in Kiel and the II. Seebataillon (marine infantry) was based in Wilhelmshaven and the Depot unit of the III. Seebataillon was based at Cuxhaven. In addition to the circa 1898 – 1901 Seitengewehr 98 Old Pattern bayonets with single-piece wooden handle being used by the Imperial German Colonial Marines while in China, one Old Pattern Kaiserl. III Seebataillon presentation bayonet has been identified, pictured in Central Powers Pistols, © 2007 by Jan C. Still, page 281, Figure 109e.  Pictured are the I, II and III, central blade Kaiserliche Marine Seebataillon etchings.

1) Kaiserl.I. Seebataillon Presentation Bayonet

The first is a Model 1898 Seitengewhr New Pattern, Imperial Navy, Kaiserliche I. Seebataillon marked regulation carry presentation bayonet with original leather scabbard. The bayonet has a clean, single edged, one-inch wide blade, 20½-inches in length, (26-inches overall). On both sides, the blade has beautiful, blue and nickel etched panels, with ships under sail at sea and anchor with rope motif, inset with German Fraktur or Gothic Script of Kaiserl. I. Seebataillon on a blue/black background. The obverse side of the blade is also attractively etched, with additional German Fraktur or Gothic Script of Einj.-Freiw. Mansteben or Einjährig-Freiwilliger Mansteben (one-year volunteer Mansteben).^[1]

The only other markings are the number 48 stamped on the upper leather scabbard metal throat fitting flange surface and on the lower body stapled section of the upper panel metal fitting.  Although the metal parts of the wooden handle and steel fittings of the black leather scabbard have corroded and turned black, it is the resulting, uniform parkerized^[2] style, aged appearance of the originally nickel plated handle and upper and lower metal scabbard fittings that is distinct.

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Background

The subject Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern Kaiserliche I. Seebataillon bayonet, circa 1902 – 1914 was awarded/presented to a sailor/soldier who either volunteered for one-year, as indicated in the inscription, or was possibly awarded or presented to after the first year of service of “one year” as a marine, presumably to serve in Africa or China, a time when Germany was desperate for naval infantry, certain to be thrown into immediate combat far from home.  This featured Kaiserliche I. Seebataillon marked Seitengewehr 98 presentation bayonet, although being an extremely rare, 2-sided etched blade, unique presentation piece, is not a one-off example as one other has been identified being Einjährig-Freiwilliger Hoffman. For more history of the Kaiserliche Marine, Click Here.

The New Pattern bayonet's steel cross guard with single curved quillon, grooved slab-sided wood grips and pommel are in nice, undamaged condition. The bayonet is complete with its original steel mounted leather scabbard, which has traces of original nickel plating on the steel mounts. The stitching and leather of the scabbard is in fine condition. Featured in Luger: The Multi-National Pistol book is a similar, but partial view of a full, original length regulation carry Kaiserliche I. Seebataillon bayonet is featured on page 83 which is an acknowledged, desirable accessory to the Selbstlade Pistole 04.

2) Kaiserl. II. Seebataillon Presentation Bayonet

The second example is also a German Model 98, New Pattern “Presentation” bayonet that is fully etched on both sides of the blade, one side with Kaiserl. II. Seebataillon in a blue/black panel background and wears the original owner's name Bruckmann  engraved upon the metal throat fitting of the leather scabbard and not on the obverse side of the blade as the Kaiserl. I. Seebataillon examples cited. This remarkable and rare bayonet has been preserved in very fine condition with only a little fading of the blue within the panel of the blade. The blade of this Model 98 New Pattern bayonet, for unknown reasons, has been shortened from its original 20½-inch length.

The shortened blade, itself measures 11-inches in length and the bayonet measures 16¼-inches overall. The original scabbard was accordingly shortened to accommodate the shortened blade. The subject shortened blade is not a one-off example as there are other examples of shortened Model 1898 New Pattern navy marked and issued bayonets. Pictured for comparison are the two different Model 1898 Presentation bayonet lengths.

A comparison of the German dress Model 98 shortened blade against another navy marked Model 98 bayonet show two different shortened blade lengths, suggesting they may not be official navy sanctioned conversions, although the work on both blades appear professional, especially the shortened leather scabbards.

Pictured are multiple views of the subject Kaiserliche II. Seebataillon marked, shortened blade, Model 1898 New Pattern bayonet and pictured with a II Seebataillon, rear grip strap marked Pistole 04. It should be noted, that for reasons not known, that the Kaiserl. I. and II. Seebataillon bayonets are not maker marked.

3) Seitengewhr 98 bayonet with Added Flashguard and Kaiserliche Marine Unit marked scabbard

In order to better understand the subject Seitengewhr 98 with added flashguard, a brief history of the Seitengewhr 98/05 is presented.

The Seitengewehr 98/05 was introduced into the Prussian army in late 1905, as a replacement for the 98/02 for engineers and pioneer troops, as the 98/02 was deemed too long and heavy for its intended purpose. Initial production was in two versions, the first plain backed, and the second with 29 double teeth. The scabbard was leather with steel throat and chape mounts. The bayonet as typical of German blades did not have more than a vestigial muzzle ring, relying on the length of the hilt mounting to fix the blade to its rifle. The plain back version was identified as the S98/05 or S98/05 o.S. (ohne Säge - without saw) and the saw back as the S98/05 S or m.S. (mit Säge - with saw). About 6% of blades made were fitted with the saw back.

At the beginning of WWI it was found that the S98/05 had a problem when used with the 1908 - 1918 Karabiner 98 AZ rifle, the shorter barrel on this model led to burning and damage to the S98/05 grips as the barrel finished before the vestigial muzzle ring, so in 1915 it was decided to fit a steel flash guard (Schutzbleche) to the back of the bayonet to protect the grips. The bayonet was additionally modified by removing most of the muzzle ring remaining, reducing the back of the tang and adding the flash guard. This led to a change in designation of the bayonet to the S98/05 nA (for neuer Art - new type) for new production and a retroactive change to S98/05 aA (alter Art - old type). These still had the additional letters to indicate whether the blade was equipped with the Saw back or not S98/05 aA S and S98/05 nA S.

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Additionally, in 1915 an all steel scabbard was introduced to replace the more easily damaged leather scabbard. Pictured is a Gewehr 98 rifle fitted with a circa 1905 – 1917 Seitengewhr 98/05 sawback bayonet.Since the flashguard was added to S98/05 bayonets manufactured from 1915 through 1918, concurrently with all previously manufactured S98/05 retrofitted, specifically modified to be used with the Karabiner 98 AZ, it’s not unusual to see an S98/05 with added flashguard affixed to Gewehr 98 rifles.

Pictured is a very rare Imperial German Prussian Navy unit marked bayonet scabbard, coupled with an army property marked New Pattern Seitengewhr 98 bayonet. The New Pattern bayonet, as noted, has the more common two-piece wooden grips and this particular Seitengewhr 98 bayonet handle has been, circa 1915 or later, post manufacture fitted with a Seitengewhr 98-05 type flashguard, as defined in the above two paragraphs.

These Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern bayonets were the standard infantry issue for the German Army (Prussian, Saxon, Bavarian, and Württemberg) at the beginning of WW1, produced for use with the M1898 Gewehr 98 Mauser Rifle with bayonet bar mounting system, allowing the bayonet to mount on many other M1898 based Mauser bolt action rifles.

As to how the Seitengewehr 98 bayonet was carried when not attached to the Gewehr 98 rifle was on the belt via the leather hanger, however, other carrying methods were utilized as pictured in this bizarre combination of shovel and bayonet carrier.

Per a noted bayonet collector: These Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern bayonets with added flashguard were reworked in state arsenals during early/mid 1915. These flashguards were new manufactured pieces for the S98 New Pattern. No S98/05 New Pattern bayonets were cannibalized for their flashguards. The S98/05 bayonets ere seen as much more valuable and better bayonets than the S98 and all of the old bayonets S98 New Pattern, S98/02, kS98 or Artillery bayonet 71/98 with flashguard added were, just like the Aushilfsseitengewehre (Ersatz bayonets), only temporary solutions for the shortage of S98/05 New Pattern and S84/98 New Pattern during the early years of the war.

The bayonets didn't come with spare parts. Maybe the regimental gunsmiths had some spare wooden grip pieces, but if the bayonet was broken, they would get sent back to the manufacturer while the soldier was given a new one.

The year 1906 is really common with Seitengewhr 98 plain blade New Pattern and Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern Sawback bayonets. It's not unusual so see these bayonets without unit markings. They were produced and then stored away in the arsenals. This is also the reason why you mostly find Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern bayonets with flashguards without unit markings or with very late dates (mostly Saxon dated 1914 ones).

These were, a) not in service, so no soldier had to give back their weapon, b) or in good shape since they had not been used for a long time or at all. The (subject) bayonet and scabbard are mismatched. Despite the fact that the subject Seitengewhr 98 bayonet was property of the army, while the scabbard is a proper navy piece, nevertheless, represents a rare example of a Seitengewehr 98 bayonet modified during WW1.

Actually, both the subject Seitengewhr 98 prior to the added flashguard and leather scabbard were initially acquired by the Imperial Prussian army as evidenced by the W/06 property mark and Crown/D on the blade spine along with two Crown/D acceptance stamps on the Pommel, the bayonet handle crosspiece and the two Crown/G army acceptance stamps on the scabbard locket throat flange.

Subsequently, it can be categorically stated that the subject Seitengewehr 98 army property marked New Pattern bayonet was not originally issued with the pictured Kaiserliche Marine unit marked scabbard, also with army crown acceptance stamps as cited above and that also, as stated above: it's not unusual so see these S98 bayonets without unit markings, {army or navy}. They were produced and then stored away in the arsenals. Additionally, even Kaiserliche Marine Seitengewhr 98 presentation bayonets with I. and II. Seebataillon etched blades, some with sailor’s names on blades and/or scabbards, lack unit markings.

Per a noted German bayonet collector: There is no doubt that the stamped over marking on the scabbard would read as II. T.A. 906. This is an old pre-1900 navy marking for the 2. Torpedo-Abteilung or Torpedo-Department. In 1886 the imperial navy founded their first torpedo units. These were first called I. and II. Torpedo-Detachments for a year and were then called I. and II. Torpedo-Abteilung. In early 1906 they were then renamed into the more commonly known I. and II. Torpedo-Divisions. Finding an original T.A. Navy marking is pretty rare. That's why it was not included on the list. There are only the "most common" markings to keep the list short. In this case the Old Pattern Seitengewehr 98 bayonet and II. T.A.  906 property marked scabbard locket was reassigned to the II. W.D. or II. Werft Division, weapon number 1846 or II. Shipyard Division. Presented is an animation of the progression of the subject scabbard locket property markings, another view of animation.

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The Gewehr 98 rifle was originally issued with the circa 1898 - 1901 Seitengewehr 98 Old Pattern bayonet, issued to the Imperial Army and the Kaiserliche Marine Infantry. This épée^[3] style bayonet has a 500 mm (19.7 in) long quillback blade. By the end of 1905, this bayonet began to be replaced with the more robust and practical Seitengewehr 98/05 with a 370 mm (14.6 in) plain edge blade. Also issued was the S98/05 “Butcher or Sawback Blade” named by the Allies due to its distinctive sawtooth edge shape, and was initially intended for artillerymen and engineers as a chopping tool as well as a weapon. For more information on the Sawback bayonet variation, click here.

Pictured together are the original Gewehr 98 rifle and circa 1898 – 1901 Old Pattern Seitengewehr 98 bayonet and the circa 1908 Gewehr 98 AZ and circa 1905 – 1918 Seitengewhr 98/05. An original Gewehr 98 rifle is shown affixed with a circa 1915 – 1918 Seitengewehr 98/05 Butcher Blade bayonet manufactured with flashguard, which is usually affixed to a circa 1908 Gewehr 98 AZ rifle.

The subject New Pattern Seitengewhr 98 bayonet was made by P.D. Lüneschloss – Solingen, becoming part of the Kaiser’s inventory in 19 (06) based on the crown over G inspection mark and crown over W over 06 stamped on the top of the blade. The markings II. W.D. 1846 on the scabbard locket show this bayonet to have been issued to the 2nd Technical “Depot” Division or II. Werft (Shipyard) Division, based at Wilhelmshaven, weapon number 1846. This bayonet scabbard also has the canceled markings II. T.A. 906., the II.Torpedo Abteilung, weapon number 906 or II. Torpedo Department from a previous issue.

The original T.A. 906. unit mark, based on the above cited information was applied prior to 1906 when the navy unit was renamed I. and II. T.D. and based on the W/06 blade property acceptance stamp the bayonet is mismatched to the KM unit marked scabbard, however, to further confuse matters the W/06 property stamp is not the manufacture date of the bayonet, but the year it became the Kaiser’s property or inventory.

Regarding the KM unit marked scabbard locket, second over-stamped II. T.A.906 navy unit markings, several bayonets have made the same journey from Torpedo units to the Werft (Shipyard) Division as another similar, but Old Pattern Seitengewhr 98 bayonet with mostly matching unit marked scabbard and blade crosspiece has also been recorded with II. W.D. markings over canceled II. T.A. or Torpedo Abteilung (Department/Division) markings.

It has been determined by examination of the basically similar Kaiserliche Marine unit markings on each scabbard locket and the second example with identical unit marks on the bayonet crosspiece that both scabbards are for the circa 1898 – 1901 Old Pattern Seitengewhr 98 bayonet with one-piece wooden handle. Pictured are the Kaiserliche Marine unit marks of both examples. For more information on the Kaiserliche Marine unit marked bayonets, click here.

Seitengewhr 98/05

The Seitengewhr 98/05, plain and butcher blade bayonet was introduced in 1905 and superseded the Seitengewhr 98. It was the most commonly used German bayonet of WW1. Earlier produced models of the New Pattern Seitengewhr 98 (1902-1914) and the New Pattern 98/05 (1905-1917) bayonets had issues with the circa 1908 98 AZ rifle muzzle blast.

The 1908 – 1918 Karabiner 98AZ (abbreviated as Kar 98AZ or K 98AZ), is a German bolt-action rifle. It is a carbine version of the Gewehr 98 with a shorter barrel. The AZ in the weapon's name stands for Aufpflanz-und-Zusammensetzvorrichtung or with bayonet attachment and piling hook ^[4].  The shorter barrel of the Karabiner 98 AZ rifle caused the wooden hand grips of the 98/05 bayonet to burn or potentially damage them.

To remedy this situation, in 1915 the Seitengewhr 98/05 bayonets were issued with flashguards. The new steel flashguards (Schutzbleche) covered up the upper edge of the wooden hand grips to protect them from the muzzle flash when used with the circa 1908 Karabiner 98 AZ. The subject Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern bayonet and KM unit marked “Old Pattern” scabbard, in addition to its possibly earlier service in the Kaiserliche Marine was also used during the latter stage of the war when weapons and materials were becoming scarce.

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This very unusual Seitengewhr 98 bayonet with Kaiserliche Marine unit marked scabbardwas most likely first used by the Kaiserliche Marine with an original Gewehr 98 rifle is a testament of dual use, in that it has also been used by the infantry in a conflict area with a circa 1908 Karabiner 98 AZ rifle where the original, 2-piece wooden handle was known to be in danger of being damaged or burned, hence the retro addition of the flashguard. Note it is, most likely, in this circa 1915 time frame that the subject KM unit marked scabbard was mismatched to the subject flashguard added Infantry bayonet occurred.

Although, it's not that uncommon to find Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern bayonets with flashguards added in Germany, no published examples have been observed until now. They are rare and this one is a Prussian, which makes it even rarer, since most Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern bayonets are Saxon or Bavarian. For more interesting information on the Seitengewhr 98 and the Kaiserliche Marine, click here.

Unser Kaiser
4) Imperial German Army Seitengewehr 98 Presentation Bayonet

The subject featured Kaiserliche Marine presentation Seitengewhr 98 bayonets are not restricted to the Kaiser’s navy as pictured is a fine Imperial German Army example of a Seitengewhr 98 presentation bayonet, leather scabbard and hanger with a full length, two-side etched blade described by the seller as:

Imperial German army Seitengewehr Model 1898 pipe back, etched Presentation Bayonet by WK&C (Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie Solingen) with ornately etched blade on both sides and top to Joh. Gifert. for Gewehr 98 Rifles with scabbard & frog. It has a clean 20¾-inch pipe back blade with swell point tip. The blade has a full central fuller and is ornately etched on both sides and the back edge with foliate decoration. One side has a “Martial Arms device” (crossed bayonets) and there is a central panel on one side with name in Germanic text which appears, as stated above, to read Joh. Gifert., no doubt the name of the soldier presented with this bayonet. The ricasso is stamped on one side with the crisp medieval helmet trade mark of WKC (Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie Solingen). It has undamaged grooved slab wood grips secured by screw bolts. It has a swept cross guard and is complete with its original leather scabbard. The scabbard has a German Silver throat mount with locket and chape. The bayonet has its original black leather frog. Pictured are several Troddels that would be appropriate for use with the subject Seitengewehr 98 bayonet.

It is interesting to note that although this Imperial German Army S98 Presentation bayonet does not have an external W/xx inventory date on the blade or Crown/D acceptance stamps on the pommel or leather scabbard locket and chape, although interestingly the inside surface of each wooden grip has a Crown/D acceptance stamp.

A Unique Seitengewhr 98 New Pattern Bayonet

The reasons often cited for the introduction or manufacture of the Seitengewhr 98/05, introduced into the Prussian army in late 1905, as a replacement for the Seitengewhr 98 bayonet is that it was deemed too long and heavy for its intended purpose. Additionally, because of the 20½-inch extra-long length, thin width and subsequent, frail quality of the blade, it tended to bend, distort or was subject to breakage. This was the result, mostly of the rather small, maximum 6.5 mm typical width of the blade, as measured at the crosspiece.

This thin 6.5 mm maximum blade width is common to most manufacturers of the circa 1902 – 1908 Seitengewhr 98 bayonets with the unique exception of one manufacture noted to date, being KW & C or Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. The thicker WK & C blade width of 8.8 mm vs. the typical 6.9 mm width is 1.9 mm or 27.6 percent thicker than all other known manufacturers of the Seitengewhr 98. This 27.6 plus percent increase in thickness continues through the first three inches of the tapered blade spine or back, resulting in a considerably sturdier, stronger blade, less prone to bending or breaking in use.

Additionally, to account for the 27.6 percent increased blade width, as measured at the crosspiece, required the equivalent enlargement of the leather scabbard upper locket flange throat, typical entrance width from 7.3 mm to 9.4 mm or the same 27.6 plus percent. Other than the slight increase in the length of the upper locket there were no other changes to the WK & C matching leather scabbard, except for the slightly longer length scabbard metal locket in a WK&C example and even longer in another, later made WK & C example, additionally with lowered hook or frog stud. Another significant change in the WK & C scabbard metal locket is the later manufactured locket with an integral, thinner flange with the earlier WK&C scabbard metal, two-piece lockets with a separate, thicker flange sleeved into the locket, requiring a set screw. This two-piece scabbard metal locket assembly is found on all other maker manufactured Seitengewhr 98 bayonet scabbards.

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Even this 27.6 percent increased blade thickness or width change alone, although significant, if present on all Seitengewhr 98 manufactured bayonets would not have prevented its eventual replacement, subsequently production was discontinued in September 1914. The weapon was then withdrawn from service and either landed in depots or was issued to rear area units.

Another interesting aspect of the WK & C bayonet maker is the makers mark located on the Ricasso of the blade, which according to sources: Weyersberg and Kirschbaum were an amalgamation of the well known Weyersberg family and W R Kirschbaum. It is believed that Weyersberg bought Kirschbaum & Co around 1883 and the firm became Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie. If this is the maker marking you are asking about it is a narrow window from circa 1883 to 1900. The newly named firm then combined the knights head logo of Kirschbaum with the kings head logo of Weyersberg and styled themselves as WK&C, who then evolved into WuK (Weyersburg und Kirschbaum) and finally into WKC with the single knights head logo.

The above imformation is not completelly accurate as many circa 1902 – 1914 WK & C made Seitengewehr 98 bayonets have been identified with a variety of maker marks stamped on the blade Ricasso, some with text only. For more information on the WKC trademark evolution, click here.

A Holy Discussion

A minor, but vexing curiosity between the subject featured New Pattern S98 Kaiserliche Marine Seebataillon I. and II. etched “Presentation” and unit marked bayonets is noted in the wooden handles, which in examining the handles show that at the end of the metal portion of the handle channel/Mortise that mounts to the Gewehr 98, that the example 2) KM II bayonet handle has what looks to be a brass plug in the hole at the end of the channel or Mortise, whereas in the example 1) KM I handle, the hole is open.

This is in conjunction with the second, equally vexing observation being the lack of the small, rectangular holes in the two-piece wooden handles of the KM II. This the only known example of a New Pattern S98 Kaiserliche Marine Seebataillon I. or II. bayonet, or for that matter, any Old or New Pattern S98 bayonet without these small rectangular shaped holes in the wooden handles.

There is no current documented explanation for the brass “plug”, however, the probable reason for the “plugged” hole in the Pommel Mortise and most significantly, the corresponding absence of the holes in each of the wooden grips suggests that the subject Kaiserlich. II. Seebataillon bayonet was originally assembled for presentation purpose, whereas the subject Kaiserlich. I. Seebataillon, two-sided etched blade bayonet without a Pommel Mortise plug and holes in each wooden handle was a private purchase, fully assembled item as indicated by the post manufacture application of the sailor’s name on the obverse side of the blade.

Per one noted bayonet dealer the purpose for the small rectangular holes in the wooden grips of the S98 handle, close to the cross guard are for oiling the press stud and internal spring at the end of the pommel.  Oil, when added to these holes would run along the inside of the metal tang of the handle and inside the grips to get to the spring to keep it lubricated.  These holes did a better job of lubing the internal spring than just adding oil to the press stud and release catch on the end of the handle.

However, since the locking assembly or spring-loaded press stud and release catch is completely encased in the Pommel, with no lubricating access except through the press stud-and-release catch on the end of the handle, another explanation is needed.

An alternate and more plausible explanation is presented for the hole found in the hilt or pommel of bayonets, placed to allow the end of the hole in the pommel into which the Gewehr 98 (rifle) “cleaning rod” slid, allowing it, the attachment channel slot to be cleared of debris etc. or to clean the exposed end of the attachment channel stud slot of the lock that would have prevented the bayonet locking onto the rifle, often mistakenly called an “Oil” Hole.  

Other bayonet collector comments: As for the two rectangular shaped holes in the wooden handles, next to the cross guard, they are not ‘Oil Holes’ but possibly ‘Breather of Equalizer holes’, in conjunction with the inside channels in the wood handles, to provide relief for when the rifle cleaning rod is inserted for clearing debris is to displace air. When inserting a small diameter rod in the hole in the pommel, it extends to the two rectangular shaped holes in the wooden handles.

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It is interesting to note that later made Seitengewhr 98-05 with added handle flashguard and some original Seitengewhr 98 bayonets retrofitted with handle flashguards, that the metal flashguards internal walls were made to conform to existing internal wooden grip channels and “breather, clean-out or oil holes” to continue to accommodate the insertion of the Gewehr 98 rifle with affixed cleaning rod.

Other bayonet collector comments: Dress bayonets were produced to look a lot like the regulation pattern bayonet, but they didn’t have to be an exact copy and this could be the explanation why the holes were missing. The brass plug could be installed to close the bayonet handle so no rain could get into the handle. A possible reason for the two (wooden handle) holes was that water could escape and not stay inside the handle and if these holes were not present it is reasonable to close off the handle with a plug.

Regarding the above comments the two featured S98 New Pattern Kaiserliche Marine Seebataillon bayonets I and II, a.k.a. KMI and KMII handle assemblies are identical in size, except for the later shortened blade of KMII, so the explanation of why the KMII two wooden handles lack holes lies elsewhere. For the above water explanation to functionally work is only if/while the bayonet is in the leather scabbard, with the leather frog scabbard carrier affixed to the sailors/soldier’s belt.

Only with the bayonet and scabbard in a vertical orientation will the holes in the “lower” end of the left and right side attached wooden handles function as drain holes, with the hole in the pommel act as the entrance of water. This creates a situation of the outer facing hole in the wooden handle open, i.e. unimpeded to draining water while the inner side wooden handle drain hole being effectively blocked by resting in contact with the leather frog surface.  Interestingly, in some depictions describing the components of the bayonet, the small, rectangular holes in the wooden handles are described as Clean-Out holes.

The Seitengewhr 1898 Old and New Pattern bayonet series, made by several period German Sword makers for the Imperial Navy and Army, was the only bayonet with one or two-piece wooden handles with these unique “Drain Holes” apparently considered ineffective as later examples, such as Police bayonets, manufactured with completely sealed handles with the wooden handles being replaced with Stag horn, relatively impervious to water damage.

Additionally, of the five Seitengewhr 98 bayonet examples in the collection regarding the handle assembly: 1) wooden grip drain holes, 2) corresponding inside grip channels and, 3) drilled hole in the pommel bayonet attaching channel. Only one of the four examples share all of the described share or exhibit one of the three features, being item 2) inside wooden grip channels. One example with the small rectangular drain holes in the wooden grips, there is no corresponding hole drilled in the pommel, which normally extends, via a channel or groove in the inside surface of the wooden grips, extending to the two rectangular shaped holes in the wooden handles, making the wooden handle drain holes non-functional. These inconsistent features or the lack thereof in the four examples examined make it impossible to come to any rational conclusions regarding to purpose of these features.

Discussion

In the ©1991 publication titled: Exploring The Dress Daggers of the German Navy by Tom Wittmann pictures a couple of similar examples of the subject new model M1898 Imperial Navy marked bayonets with a text caption stating that: German marine troops of the See-Bataillon wore the Model 1898 Bayonet. That German marine “troops” used/carried navy issued and marked Hirschfänger 71 bayonets for many years, until 1911 is certain, until it was replaced in 1912 by the Seitengewehr 1911 boarding cutlass, which is verified by many surviving pictures, not with rifles, but with P04 navy Luger rigs, interestingly, with the Seitengewhr 1911 being the first Imperial German navy (bayonet/boarding Cutlass) sidearm, with the exception of the Entermesser 71, not affixed to a rifle.  

However, although Imperial Navy marked M1898 “presentation” bayonets are authentic, no pictures have ever been identified showing German Marine “troops”, posing with the M1898, New Pattern bayonet. This may be only because of the rarity of the variation, being a M1898 “Presentation” navy bayonet carried, possibly by officers only, that no pictures exist, despite one being pictured in the Wittmann book on page 91 with a leather hanger or frog. 

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History of the Kaiserliche Marine

The first Seebataillon was organized in May 1852 as the Royal Prussian Marnier-Korps at Stettin. This formation performed light duty such as protecting officers, general policing aboard warships and limited amphibious shore intrusions. The Seebataillon in 1870 had a strength of 22 officers and 680 non-commissioned officers and men. Battalion headquarters was then located at Kiel.

After the establishment of the German Empire in 1871, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, more or less, ignored the navy as it did “not fit his intentions.” Bismarck’s continental policies sought to avoid colonial or naval entanglements and he would oppose plans to further develop navy forces.

With the creation of the Imperial Admiralty, Prussian army Generalleutnant Albrecht von Stosch was appointed chief. Stosch had no experience in naval matters, but “nevertheless, brought significant administrative talents to his new post.” He also perceived military power to emanate “from the tip of an army bayonet.” Stosch ended the practice of placing marines aboard warships. Instead he adopted a concept that became known as Infanterieismus. He would train seamen as naval infantry, qualified in using small arms and competent in infantry tactics and amphibious operations.

That approach would position the Seebataillon as a compact, self-contained organization, roughly equivalent to the British Royal Marine Light Infantry. Scheduled exchanges of officers from the Prussian army brought current tactical thinking to the sea battalions. The successful occupation of Kiautschou in China in November 1897 by the navy’s East Asia Cruiser Division was a flawless demonstration of Infanterieismus (Infantryism).

Since the mid-1880s Seebataillon troops were frequently used as temporary intervention forces, mostly in the colonies. A company was sent in 1884 to German Kamerun. During the Boxer rebellion in China from 1900 to 1901, the first and second Seebataillon, reinforced by an engineer company and field artillery battery, comprised the German contingent to the international relief force. In 1904–1908 during the Herero and Nama revolt, a formation in battalion strength supported the Schutztruppe in German South West Africa; during 1905–1906 a Seebataillon detachment served in German East Africa during the Maji Maji uprising.

Pictured is a short WW1 movie showing the beginning of the war where Imperial German soldiers, while being issued supplies, were examining their Seitengewhr 98 bayonets.

The second type in this example has a scabbard tip which has been eaten away by corrosion along the top edge.

The first type was produced till 1902, but breakages to the wooden grip occured. The new model was more practical. However, it had disadvantages in field service due to breakages of the long blade, production ceased by mid September 1914, and it was replaced by other types. The weapon was then withdrawn from service and either landed in depots or was issued to rear area units. On this second example the wooden grips have considerably darkened due to bad storage, corrosion staining the wood.

When I see a Weyersberg king's head logo stamped by itself on the ricasso of a sword, I assume it predates the 1883 merger with Kirschbaum. I used to think the same applied to the Kirschbaum knight's head logo, but then I began to notice a number of what appeared to be post-1883 swords, some also stamped "Germany", which were stamped with a lone knight's head logo. I have little to no knowledge of German makers and the evolution of their logos. Do any of our members know if WKC continued to use the sole Knight's head logo after the merger, and if so, when and why? Did it also continue to use a sole king's head? When and for what purpose?

I am not sure, but suspect it was a way to identify a finished blade...perhaps they had some mix-ups earlier? The people running WK&C today have very little information, and they have even contacted me for history and such!!

Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was the amalgamation of two very old Solingen family companies in 1883. Both companies had had their own trademark. For Weyersburg it was King's head and for Kirschbaum it was a Knight's head. On amalgamation the two trademarks were merged and appeared on the ricasso of blades from 1883 until 1918 and the end of the monarchy in Germany.