Gentlemen I wanted to share pictures of two butchers I picked up last night.

First up is an Alex Coppel saw back. Light sharpening on the blade but otherwise very little damage. A lot of greying and evidence of pitting on the scabbard.

The muzzle wings (if that is the correct phrase) are much longer than the other bayonet above. Is that unique to saw backs or because this bayonet has a slightly different use to the other? Dated 1913.

next up a butcher with an absolutely perfect blade with no greying at all. A frog and a trodel. Is the trodel period? Would it be normal to wear it with a combat bayonet?

Interesting double marked blade

Koeller & Co Solinger and D�rkopp Werke AG. Why would that be?

All comments and speculation are most welcome. I only collect Eickhorns so these will need a new home.

if you want more photos - just ask

pm or email jamest8@madasafish

Many thanks

Nice score, James.

Maybe, this will encourage you to give up on those nasty squirrels and free some of them up to wend their way to the dark and cold Canadian climes

John

James,

Two very nice butcher bayonets. The first one is the old style with sawback (S98/05 aA.S)that also has high ears and no flashguard protecting the grips. This would have originally been in a leather scabbard. The second one is the new style without sawback (S98/05 nA.)that has a flashguard, low ears, and came with a steel scabbard. The Officer Portepee could be original to the bayonet as these were sometimes worn by officers in the trenches after they sent thier swords home.

The dual maker marks means one of them supplied the blade the other provided the fittings and put it together. I don't know where D�rkopp Werke AG. ranks on the scarity list but it's the first one I have seen on a S9805.

Thanks Gentlemen. That is very interesting. Someone said the troddle might be Bavarian.

Oh! and I found a nice Eickhorn butcher so I'm afraid that one is staying in warmer British climes.

Now what can you tell me about this one.

This bayonet has a Butcher style handle, the quillion is smaller but the blade is totally different. Very slim. Can anyone tell me about the unit numbering?

Any ideas?

The mark on the spine of the dual marked Koeller. A stylised F or P perhaps. No date. I wonder why? There is no evidence at all of any grinding. Infact the blade looks totally untouched.

Your thin bladed bayonet is a model S98 that has been shortened. It originally had a 520mm long blade and a leather scabbard. Some were shortened during the period of use and some later on. It was issued to the 4th Company of Infantry Regiment 146 as the 192nd weapon in inventory.