allan H

Hello Trajan & Hoss Delayed reply to some points. Yes, its was Carter that wrote about the Bavarian's not wanting EB1s. Trajan - I too have a list of unit markings on Imperial Bayonets - its now has over 6000 entries. Regarding EB1 I have 29 recorded unit marks. Of these, 16 are Saxon and remaining Prussian. Eight of the Saxon markings are to IR102 and two to IR103 (interestingly markings for IR103 are only on the scabbard suggesting that their armourer decided to just do half the job) and two to the 1. Saxon (12th) Fieldartillerie Reg. The numbering to IR102 suggests that they issued EB1 to every soldier in the Regiment so it might be that the Saxon's decided to equip all their infantry and artillery with EB1 - hence why we see so many. Definitely, different armourers had different practices during wartime for marking weapons with most not bothering. See my recent book on the S14 bayonet for more on this http://www.imperial-german-bayonets.net and also correct info on who they were issued to. Best wishes to all Allan

Hello Juan It is a very nice S98/02 made by Erfurt in the most common year 1902 but marked to the 2nd Saxon Pionner Batallion. Such a shame it is not a perfect match between scabbard and bayonet. Nevertheless, I am fairly confident it would get you more than $US 2,000 on ebay. If it was perfectly matching it would be > $2,500 easy. Best wishes Allan

Chris, put up a picture of your Demag unit mark and I will give you a hand with it. Allan

Hello Just to add my 2c worth. There was no "Wurttemberg" cypher - unlike the Saxons and Bavarians they received weapons through the Prussians during WW1. So, other than a Wurttember unit marking on the crossguard it is impossible to tell if a bayonet was issued to Wurttemberg troops or Prussians. There are, however, a very few Ersatz and S14 bayonets that were thought to be made exclusively for Wurttemberg troops. The value of the S98/02 depends upon its unit stamp and whether it has a matching marking on the scabbard. They are not that rare but a matching example will be valuable. Bye to all Allan

Hello To my knowledge these crankhandles (EB1 according to Carter nomenclature) were officially issued (alongside EB2) to Prussian and Saxon troops primarily as trench knives. The Bavarians were offered the EB1 and EB2 but refused them saying they were too expensive and just bought regular trench knives for their troops. In May 1915, orders were given for six trench knives to be issued to each front line Infantry company - by June 1916 this had been increased to 24 per company. I think that the preponderance of Saxon unit marks on EB1 and EB2 just represent very conscientious Saxon armourers. EB1 with non-Saxon unit marking have been found but are even rarer the Saxon marked EB1- that are quite rare themsleves! Almost all EB1 and EB2 will have a small inspection stamp somewhere. Hope this helps. Allan

The word is that the EB56 was made to fill a Wurttemberg contract and nothing I have seen in terms of unit markings (including yours) or contemporary photos suggests otherwise. If you like Wurttemberg MG bayonets have a look at this common Ersatz (EB17) but with an incredibly rare Wurttemberg MG unit marking E.G.M.G.Z.A.K.13.89. So long they had to wrap it around the whole crossguard! Ersatz-Gebirgs-Maschinengewehr-Zug, 13th (Wurttemberg) Armeekorps - this was the small training platoon (Zug) for the Wurttemberg Alpine Machine Gun Detachments.

Hi Eric Nothing going to the grave with me but some things might be along for the ride for quite awhile! Having said that the Saxon IR103 might be up for something I dont have. All the best Allan nzherbi@gmail.com

Thanks Chris - unit marked crankhandles should be below!

Sorry - having trouble posting pictures. Tells me I cant use .jpg or .png files? Is there an attachement button somewhere? Must be doing this wrong... help?

For your interest... unit marked Demags.

Hello - very nice and extremely rare to find a kS98 with a flashguard. Looking at the new grip bolts it looks like this was added well after WW1 - possibly for WW2? Some of these bayonets did make it into WW2 - I have an Erfurt W05 in my collection that came from the son of the NZ soldier that liberated it from an Afrikakorps NCO. Also just to note that the scabbard is incorrect as it is a dress version. The service issue kS98s had their own special scabbard subtly different even from the S84/98nA. Best wishes Allan PS what is the MG unit marking on your EB56 - assume Wurttemberg?

SORRY - repeat of prior - too fast on the trigger! Allan Cant find delete button!

Hi - I am new to the forum and hope that someone can help me with identification of this badge. I posted it about 3 weeks ago on this site but probably in the wrong section (historical discussions) - would appreciate any help. I know little about badges but quite a lot about Imperial german bayonets and will be happy to help anyone out on that front. The badge was found in a collection of WW1 items in New Zealand and is just over 6cm in diameter. As I hope you can see in the photo it is in very good condition and looks to be a German aviator badge to me - very similar stitching and condition to some of the Imperial shoulder straps I have. Anyway, would be very interested to hear any comments on it. Many Thanks Allan New Zealand

Sorry - please ignore.

Absolutely fantastic, I too had seen the reproductions made by Imperial War Museum in the UK I think - what would something like this cost today? I want one!! Allan New Zealand

Hi Chris This ia an extremely unusual bayonet. First, it is almost unheard of to have an S84/98nAS with a Pioneer marking... I say almost, there are one or two around but they are very rare. Second, the bayonet looks like it has been re-gripped with Third Reich bolts. Can you tell us anything more about the bayonet and its markings? Although the unit marking of bayonets became very irregular during the war, the markings on this one are unusual in font type and size, not to mention the upside down "2". I am suspicious. If it was a straight 1.P.2.35. it would be 2nd company, weapon 35. However, if it was an attempt at a 1.P.S.35. it would be the searchlight company of the 1st Pioneer Batn. I am not an expert on frogs but the one you show looks like an Austrian style frog. best wishes Allan

Hi - I am new to the forum and hope that someone can help me with identification of this badge. I know little about badges but quite a lot about Imperial german bayonets and will be happy to help anyone out on that front. The badge was found in a collection of WW1 items in New Zealand and is just over 6cm in diameter. As I hope you can see in the photo it is in very good condition and looks to be authentic to me - very similar stitching and condition to some of the few Imperial shoulder straps I have. Anyway, would be very interested to hear any comments on it. Many Thanks Allan New Zealand