Hi there, I have found this bayonet in my great uncles house and I want to establish if it is: From either world war and which one if so? if it is German or something else? What gun it could have been mounted on? how to clean each part of it without damaging it? And any other information you can tell me Thanks Andrew
Looks like a British pattern 1888 bayonet, so is pre WW1. Pre SMLE, so for a Lee Metford. Is the Blade 12" long? Actually just checked agains mine, very similar but some differences (there were several marks and makers). There may be an expert along in a minute....
I'm absolutely not an expert, but the internet is sometimes a wonderful thing. The bayonet apears to be manufactured by Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co – Solingen. I'd guess at this http://www.collectarea.com/shop/german-ww1-model-1871-knife-bayonet/ According to this source: http://worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/Germany__Imperial_/Germany_Imperial_2.html, "the bayonet was initially designed for use with the 11 mm. Mauser M1871/84 repeating rifle. This bayonet will also mount on the earlier 11 mm. Mauser M1871 rifle and the 8 mm. M1888 Commission Rifle. The M1871/84 was the first knife bayonet to become general issue in a major army, setting a trend that continues to the present day."
Hi there, Thanks ever so much for all that information, really want to trace it to its regiment now but I will need to clean it before I can determine the writing. Any suggestions on how to clean it but not damage it? Thanks Andrew
I go along with Brian. Solingen was always considered the German Version of Sheffield in Steel products. With the Crown it appears to be WW1 vintage. Regards Tom
John Walters is the author to look for - he published some works on the use of ersatz bayonets by the German Army in the First World War. I recall finding them very useful when I was cataloguing in that field in the 1990's
