WW1 German Sawback Bayonet

[Cam_s]

Hello,

I picked up this Sawback Bayonet a while back and was just wondering when and where it was made. I am more use to the WW2 German Bayonets which clearly gives the Date. The blueing on the Scabbard is not good at all and looks like it sat in a basement or a garage for 70 years. However the blade is almost mint.

The Manufacturer is Durkopp Werke A.G. and there is a B with a crown on it on the top of the blade.

So if someone could help me out that would be great.

Thanks,

Cam

Here are the Pictures:

[Cam_s]

Here are the rest

[Theodor]

A nice bayonet!! If not wrong, that company was in Bielefeld?

[Cam_s]

Hello Theodor,

Thanks for the nice words and information.

Do you also know what year this was made?

Thanks,

Cam

[Jim P]

A very nice 2nd model 98/05 sawback you have there.It is a 2nd model due to the low ears and flashguard which means it would have had to been manufactured from 1915-1918.The crown with a "B" is most likely an inspectors mark right above or below it should be a larger crown with 1or2 letters and the last two digits of the date below that.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Edited August 8, 2006 by Jim P

[Daniel Murphy]

Great bayonet. I am very partial to the Durkopp pieces, mainly because they made sled mount my MG 08 sits on. There is nice little triangular shield makers plate just like that on each side.

Dan Murphy

[Cam_s]

Hello,

Jim and Dan, Thanks for the nice comments again.

Jim P- Thanks for the information, this is what I was looking for. However, there is no number on top of the blade. There only is the B and crown marking. I am familiar more with WW2 German bayonets so I guess it would be like they are marked with the date. Yet there is is not date. So was not dating the bayonets a common practice? I can try to post another pic of the top if it would help.

Thanks again,

Cam

[Jim P]

Hello,

Jim and Dan, Thanks for the nice comments again.

Jim P- Thanks for the information, this is what I was looking for. However, there is no number on top of the blade. There only is the B and crown marking. I am familiar more with WW2 German bayonets so I guess it would be like they are marked with the date. Yet there is is not date. So was not dating the bayonets a common practice? I can try to post another pic of the top if it would help.

Thanks again,

Cam

A picture might help,and I'll do some investigating and see what else I can find out.

Jim

[Cam_s]

Hello Jim,

Here is the best picture that I can get of it. As you can see there is only the B and Crown Marking with no date.

Hopefully you can tell me something more.

Thanks,

Cam

[Jim P]

I sent an E-mail to Carl at "old smithy",and he says that altough it is not common for the monarch stamp and date to be missing on these bayo's,it is not unheard of.He has seen several of them,especially during the 1915-1918 years.Mistakes like this happen during wartime production for all countries.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Edited August 18, 2006 by Jim P