A striking and highly sought-after Imperial German WWI Seitengewehr 98/05 “Butcher Blade” bayonet, presented here in its most desirable early form: the true 1st pattern (aA) variant.
This first pattern is instantly recognizable by its large, intact swept quillon (“ears”) and the absence of a muzzle flash guard, which was introduced on later simplified versions. Many examples had their quillons ground down or flash guards added during wartime updates, making an untouched, full-quillon early piece like this a rare find.
Maker: Clearly stamped SIMSON & Co., SUHL — one of the most desirable and scarcer manufacturers. Simson & Co., based in Suhl, was a prestigious German arms maker known for high-quality production and lower WWI bayonet output compared to giants like Erfurt or Weyersberg. After WWI, Simson famously became the only firm permitted to manufacture arms in Weimar Germany, further adding to its historic cachet.
Spine marking: Prussian acceptance stamp with crown W, dated 15 (1915), verifying manufacture during the final year of the first pattern before design simplifications. Additional proof marks on the crossguard and pommel confirm original Imperial German military inspection.
Blade: Full-length, approximately 36.5cm, with a wide fuller and strong profile. Honest age patina and surface oxidation, consistent with combat or long field storage, but no severe edge chips or reshaping.
Hilt: Fitted with original wooden grip panels, deeply grooved, showing genuine wartime wear and darkening. The large hooked quillon remains completely intact — a highly desirable feature for collectors.
Scabbard: Matching original steel scabbard with correct throat shape and intact frog stud. Heavy surface corrosion and pitting throughout, but structurally solid with no major dents or cracks.
Historical Note: Introduced in 1905, the M1898/05 replaced the more fragile quillback S98 bayonet, offering a robust, versatile design better suited to the brutal realities of trench warfare. The broad “Butcher Blade” profile gave it a fearsome reputation among Allied troops. Early first pattern versions featured a long swept quillon and no flash guard; these were phased out by mid-1915 in favor of a simpler, faster-to-produce design.
Simson & Co. was one of only a few private firms trusted to manufacture German military arms during the Kaiser’s era. Their production numbers were much lower than the larger state arsenals, making Simson-marked bayonets scarcer and highly collectible today.
*Condition* An honest, completely original example showing untouched field or storage condition. Blade has visible patina and surface rust but remains complete and structurally solid. Wooden grips exhibit typical wear, small cracks, and age darkening but remain firmly attached. The scabbard shows heavy pitting and rust, consistent with a century of age, yet remains strong and complete. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
A rare chance to acquire an unmodified, fully intact 1st pattern “Butcher Blade” bayonet by the esteemed maker Simson & Co. — a true collector’s piece embodying the rugged reality of WWI trench warfare.
JAQAAF_2689130525
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