Ersatz(Replacement) bayonet WW1.
Very nice Ersatz(replacement) bayonet used during WW1.
Ersatz (substitute) bayonets were made in Germany during the early years of World War I, because there weren't enough regulation bayonets to equip the rapidly expanding army.
Scabbard was once fully painted green but most of it has been worn off. Handle and blade is in good used condition.
Stamped on the spine with a crown.
A quite scarce model.
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HISTORY:
For many years these bayonets were said to be last ditch bayonets made by the Germans at the end of WWI in order to reduce production costs and time. It is now however accepted that the opposite was the case and the bayonets were actually made at the beginning of the war as production of the 98/05 was ramped up to meet the requirements of the rapidly expanding army. There are a large number of designations placed on these blades, 1916 Ersatz, Bavarian Ersatz etc. It is common now however for collectors to use the designations used by Carter in his Ersatz bayonet books, as it gives a consistency to the designations as all have the same German designation - S88/98 based on the rifles the bayonets fit and I shall use Carters identifications on this page.
Designs for the bayonets fall into two main styles one similar to the 98/05 in blade shape and the other a parallel bladed long knife, with some other styles made in small numbers. Hilts varied considerably in style and in method of manufacture - from formed to cast - and materials - brass, cast metal, steel sheet. Blades also vary in position and style of fullers - and if they have one.
No manufacturers are attributed to most of the bayonets and it is thought that many were assembled from parts from a large number of factories making parts. The only markings found on the bayonets are a small inspection stamp on the blade. Occasionally the bayonets can be found with unit markings on the cross guard.
