Three S98aA bayonets

[MichaelWC]

Three S98aA bayonets made by Erfurt and dated 1899.

S98aA sawback Erfurt W99. Cross guard marked (F.P.3.33 for Fuhrpark-Kolonne of a Schutztruppe in German South-West Africa or DSWA.)



S98aA Erfurt W99. Cross guard marked is blank. Probably scrubbed away a long time ago.



S98aA shortened W99 Erfurt Cross guard marked (II.E SB 1405 II.Ersatz-Seebataillon, Waffe Nr. 1405) Scabbard throat stamped W.W. 2364 (Werft Wilhelmshaven), opposite side of scabbard throat above the frog stud is marked II M AA 2612 (II Matrosen-Artillierie-Abteilung).

 

[AndyB]

Nice bayonets, i assume the frog on the first one is not for germany but was delivered to other country. The S98aA are nice one, the serial numbered on tang were probably the first bunch production. Explanation of similar units is sometimes tricky.

 

[MichaelWC]

Nice bayonets, i assume the frog on the first one is not for germany but was delivered to other country. The S98aA are nice one, the serial numbered on tang were probably the first bunch production. Explanation of similar units is sometimes tricky.

Andy I am not really sure about the frog.

 

[AndyB]

Carter wrongly deciphered it as german because of german maker stamped backside but in majority similar frogs were delivered to Bulgaria with german manufactured M88 Mannlicher bayonets. There was a rectangular hole for scabbard hook not for cylindrical german hook typical on german scabbards. I believe You have here even restitched one, which was moved to adopt german belt, as the bulgarian belts was not so wide most real, same as the attached bayonet on similar frog would be with hilt over end of the belt part of frog.

 

[MichaelWC]

Carter wrongly deciphered it as german because of german maker stamped backside but in majority similar frogs were delivered to Bulgaria with german manufactured M88 Mannlicher bayonets. There was a rectangular hole for scabbard hook not for cylindrical german hook typical on german scabbards. I believe You have here even restitched one, which was moved to adopt german belt, as the bulgarian belts was not so wide most real, same as the attached bayonet on similar frog would be with hilt over end of the belt part of frog.

Hey Andy, sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. I took some photos of the bayonet frog for you.

 

[AndyB]

Thanks, yes its a Bulgarian M88/90 frog probably field repaired.

 

[MichaelWC]

Thanks, yes its a Bulgarian M88/90 frog probably field repaired.

Thank you Andy for information.

 

[ANDYH]

MichaelWC
Beautiful early ERFURT S98s! That stuff is hard to find these days. Must have been a very early find. I have a nA with no unit mkg wo bard. Still a good find for me.

AndyH