Guys I went to look at a collection today and the obverse riccasso was stamped RBD, I've never seen this before, can anyone offer some insight?
As always I appreciate your help.
Paul

Paul:

If you look in the Walker/Weinand book, German Clamshells, on pages 139-141, there is a short discussion and pictures of Reichsbahn Dienst service bayonets.

These railway bayos were marked RBD or they had district/route/train numbers, the one pictures is a matching number Esn 102.

The book doesn't show if there were any RBD marked KS98s, only the K98 types are shown.

John

I think John's right about it being Reichsbahn.

Hello

Sure it is Reichsbahn but it is "Reichsbahn Direktion" and not "Reichsbahn Dienst".
Regards
Alain

Alain:

In the Walker/Weinand book, German Clamshells, it says Reichsbahn Dienst.

In the Wheeler book, Seitengewehr, it says Reichsbahndirektion.

The Wheeler term makes a lot more sense than the use of the word Dienst, which I think means Service, used as in Honour of my Service.

Thank you for pointing this out.

Paul, do you have pictures?

John

Hi John
I think it is a mistake with Reich Arbeit Dienst. If you have a look at the Reichsbahn documents of the period it is Reichsbahndirektion.
Regards
Alain

While Reichspost service/combat bayonets (84/98) typically are marked internally on the blade’s ricasso. Those for organizations like the Reichsfinanzverwaltung and Reichsbahn tend to be seen externally such as on the cross guards. As has already been stated, Reichsbahndirektion is corrrct, being organized (later) into roughly 30 districts with the time period being a factor. With especially the Reichsbahn security forces having a relatively long and interesting history as they evolved thorough a very turbulent period - which I believe is most likely the reason for some of the legitimate variations in the types of Reichsbahn markings that are seen on the crossguards. FP

Wow, you guys know your stuff.
I don't have pics but it is mismatched and in with a pile of junkers. The guy wanted $150 ea for all the mismatched K98's. When checking them over I saw this and it sparked my interest. One thing I seem to recall was that the letters were stamped separately as they were not completely perfectly aligned, the other thing I noticed was that the letters were blued, as if the bayo was stamped prior to bluing in the factory, similar to the serial#'s and the maker mark. Does this seem right? Is this something work persuing?
As always your willingness to share is appreciated.

Paul, Some questions. Who is the maker (if it has one), and Is the scabbard marked? Also, is it just an "RBD" on the blade by itself - or is it followed with some other markings? Because Reichsbahn bayonets are basically unserialed commercial bayonets (which could be of the early "thin blade" variety) that have had the Reichsbahn "unit" markings (for lack of a better term) applied after they were sold/delivered. And without seeing it - is the finish a factory original one? Or has it been reblued at some point? FP

Fred, I'm just going from memory but the blue is original-I think. I can't remember if there are other markings on the blade. I think I'll try and just buy it and post some pics. If it's a bad bayo-Oh well I will have learned something.
Thanks appreciate your response and If I get it I will post further detail.
Paul

Hi Paul
Here are a few of my Reichsbahn bayonets with RBD marking. All these bayoents are "narrow blades" unmarked early bayonets. I only know the RBD 29 with a matching scabbard. The others are in their correct blank scabbards.
RBD 29 is for STUTTGART Direktion
RBD Br is for BRESLAU Direktion
RBD KS is for KASSEL Direktion

Regards
Alain

Merci Alain!

Alain, My thanks also for posting a very nice grouping of Reichsbahn bayonets that gives Paul a reference on what to look for. Which I think also demonstrates that some period reworking was being done as illustrated by the raised characters on the “R.B.D. Br” bayonet blade. As compared to the reddish color and polished off appearance of the characters on the cross guard on the “R.B.D. 29” example. As a side note to the discussion, I have a narrow blade example with a single Waffenamt on an internal part that I think shows parallel production alongside bayonets for the Wehrmacht. Best Regards to All, Fred

Fresh out of a estate. Numbered RBD KS 344. Interesting that the top of the muzzle flash plate it is marked 46 with a eagle. The ball for the scabbard is marked 151. Made by wkc with just those letters. Nice clean piece.

Last of the pics.

As there is WKC i assume it was made in post 1933 period, evidently the flashguard was used from older WuK 1927-30 production. Very nice commerzial made piece.Troddel looks like WW1 piece. Very nice is the early frog with cupper rivets.

Hello, very nice transitional WKC bayonet. The knot is WWI for prussian NCO.
Regards
Alain