The butcher from wurtemberg...

[Adler 1]

It’s been a long time since I bought a bayonet, especially a S98/05nA (Seitengewehr model 1898/1905 neuer Art). Here in Belgium they are rather common but most of the time they are in not so good condition.
This one was found with the frog and Wurtemberg NCO trodl. It has a  double makers stamps, all acceptance stamps but no year stamp or crowned letter to indicate the state.
As often seen with bayonets that resided in old collections, there’s a little hole in the frog. These guys just nailed them to the wall because there was still enough of those things out there…
The blade is still in almost mint condition, exept it has been sharpened in a very crude way… but it’s super sharp for a bayonet! During the war the bayonets were mostly sharpened, certainly in a combat zone. It’s a pitty though that the grinder didn’t take more care for that.
All in all, I thought this is still a nice bayonet and it would fit nicely with my Wurtenberg NCO’s equipment…

Adler 1

[Chris Boonzaier]

Fantastic, and with two makers on it....

Nice Bavarian made frog as well!

Probably cannot be improved on

[Hoss]

Frister & Rossmann was a sewing machine maker. During the war part of a corporation 'Aktiengesellschaft' I believe so they may have just assembled the bayonet or supplied it. I forget the other maker my mind goes blank,,, Karel aren't they normally associated with private purchase blades? maybe that.s why there is no date. I love the frog.

Eric

[Chris Boonzaier]

cant be private purchase, it has an abnahme stamp on the spine. I think it was Haenkels or something like that the other stamp? Think I have a bayonet of theirs somewhere...

[Hoss]

J.A. Henckels Zwillingswerk of Solingen pre net days I'd have to make a phone call "Dunno its got two men holding hands" lol!

Eric

[Adler 1]

Thank you for your comments gentlemen!

The two producers on the blade is because one made the blade and the other assembled the bayonet. Looking at the stamps, it's most likely that Henckels made the blade because it appears the stamp is deeper and stamped before grinding the blade. The Frister & Rossman stamp appears to be stamped after grinding the blade and is less deep than the Henckels stamp. Also keeping in mind Henckels made knives and still does today, it would be unlikely that they wouldn't have produced the blade.

Why there is no date and state stamp, I really don't know. Since there is an abnahme stamp, it's certainly an issued piece. A Possible expanation can be that there was a misunderstanding between the two companies that made/assembled the bayonet and both were assuming the stamp was the responability of the other... But that's just guessing of course...

 

Adler 1

[Trajan]

S.98/05's without state ciphers or year dates on the blade spine are not that uncommon but are unusual. This one has the usual 'fraktur' marks in the usual places and so it was certainly officially approved even if the inspector did not complete the spine markings. Perhaps it was unclear as to which state it was going to? Remember that after January 1915, there was a mad rush to order and produce the required number of S.98/05's... In addition, although bayonets were at being ordered on a state-by-state basis at the start of the GW, after 2nd March 1915 the orders for all types of bayonets was centralized at Erfurt. I have a feeling that after that date all bayonets were given a 'W' for Prussia spine mark whoever used them - but I am away from home and can't check my books, so don't quote me on that just yet! But, if that is the case, then this could well have been made early 1915.

[Adler 1]

Please check the books, I also am interested to know...

 

Adler 1

[Trajan]

.. In addition, although bayonets were at being ordered on a state-by-state basis at the start of the GW, after 2nd March 1915 the orders for all types of bayonets was centralized at Erfurt. I have a feeling that after that date all bayonets were given a 'W' for Prussia spine mark whoever used them - but I am away from home and can't check my books, so don't quote me on that just yet! But, if that is the case, then this could well have been made early 1915.

Well, I was wrong on that one - Bavarian and Saxon ones dated after 1916 still have the respective King's monograms...

[Trajan]

On 6/29/2015 at 12:56, Adler 1 said:

The two producers on the blade is because one made the blade and the other assembled the bayonet. Looking at the stamps, it's most likely that Henckels made the blade because it appears the stamp is deeper and stamped before grinding the blade. The Frister & Rossman stamp appears to be stamped after grinding the blade and is less deep than the Henckels stamp. Also keeping in mind Henckels made knives and still does today, it would be unlikely that they wouldn't have produced the blade.

In theory, as the Frister stamp is on the left side of the bayonet, then they made the blade. and as the Henckels is on the right side, they finished the bayonet.