Imperial German, WW1, M1898/05 a/A "Butcher" Bayonet by Simson & Co., Dated 1915, with Scabbard & Frog

*Imperial German, WW1, M1898/05 a/A "Butcher" Bayonet by Simson & Co., Dated 1915, with Scabbard & Frog*

Original Imperial German M1898/05 a/A (alter Art – “old model”) sword bayonet for the 8mm Gewehr 98 rifle, manufactured by Simson & Co., Suhl in 1915. This early pattern example features the distinctive broad butcher-style blade measuring 36.4 cm (14.3 in), with single fuller and vestigial muzzle ring “high ears”. Bright polished blade stamped Simson & Co. Suhl on the ricasso and crowned W15 cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II on the spine, along with inspection Fraktur proofmarks to the crossguard and pommel.

The hilt retains its original wooden grips, now varnished, and bears imperial crown inspection stamps to the pommel. Metal scabbard with inspection Fraktur proofmarks to throat, showing surface pitting and patina from age, complete with its original black leather frog with steel securing button. The bayonet locks and releases correctly.

Measurements:
Overall length: 49.8 cm (19.6 in)
Blade length: 36.4 cm (14.3 in)

History:
The M1898/05 pattern replaced the earlier long and slender M1898 bayonet, which had proved too fragile for trench warfare. The strengthened “butcher blade” form—with its heavy spine and short fuller—became the standard German bayonet of the First World War and remained in use until 1918. The “a/A” (alter Art) denotes the first model, issued without a flashguard and with the partial muzzle ring, later deleted entirely in the improved “n/A” (neuer Art) pattern introduced from 1915 onwards.

Simson & Co. of Suhl was one of Imperial Germany’s premier arms contractors, producing rifles, pistols, and edged weapons for the Prussian War Ministry. The crowned W and date stamp indicate official acceptance under Kaiser Wilhelm II’s reign (1888–1918), the monarch most associated with the German Empire’s wartime expansion.

*Condition*F
Very good overall condition for age. Blade bright with minor age marks; crossguard and pommel show service wear; scabbard exhibits corrosion and patination consistent with field use. Wooden grips have been sympathetically refinished and varnished, likely during a past refurbishment. Leather frog remains strong. Mechanically sound and well-presented. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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