During the first years of the First World war Germany has been confronted with serious shortages, especially when was about equipping its front line troops.
The biggest issue was with finding enough bayonets and pickelhaube helmets. That is why these “erzats” (replacement) pieces were introduces in service.
What we have here is a rare example of a matching serial numbers ‘2556’ bayonet and scabbard, model 1884/98, second pattern.
These ersatz pieces we usually assembled by former toy workshops which were provided with blades made by Solingen, which then were completed with grips and scabbards made by these small workshops.
As in all cases the manufacturing procedure was simplified as much as possible, all unnecessary elements being eliminated. We can clearly see that the grip is cast metal, a cross guard hasn’t been fitted and the ball at the lower end of the scabbard. Also, all unnecessary marks and stamps have been removed.
*Condition*
The bayonet is in a good condition for a piece that has clearly been used on the battlefield.
The scabbard presents a number of dents and, as all the metalwork had developed some age pitting.
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