Bayonets

[paul w]

Guys,I have an S98 A a bayonet displayed with a 10 Jager Battalion Tunic .I'd now like to display a belt and bayonet with a 73rd Fusilier Regt tunic (dunkelblau).I'd like to display a different type of bayonet if possible,maybe an S98 n a or an 1871 but dont know if these would be appropriate.The tunic date from the early 1900s.Thanks for any help you can give,

Paul

[John Allen]

bayonets

Paul
IMHO, you should probably use a S98 n/A. I did a little research in some of my bayonet books. The 73rd Fusilier Regiment belonged to the X Armeekorps. I found five bayonets marked to five different regiments from within the X AK. They are all 98 n/A : 73 R dated '03 74 R dated '05 [saw] 77 R dated '02 78 R dated '06 79 R dated '06. I think that the dates indicate that these regiments were most likely given these bayonets starting from about 1903-04 to about 1907-08. Hope that this helps.

[paul w]

Thanks very much John,thats very helpful.There also seemed to be bayonets specifically made for 'walking out' eg the 1871 with a brass hilt.Do you know if soldiers from the period in question would have worn these bayonets with walking out dress?Cheers once again,

Paul

[John Allen]

bayonets

Paul
I almost mentioned walking out bayonets in my reply. It just shows my ignorance when it comes to tunics! German soldiers would have cerntainly worn walking out bayonets with their dress uniforms. I think that a nice 1871 would look good with yours. It would have been personal preference on the part of the soldier as to which model he would choose. If you could find one, you might think about using a walking out version of the 1860 Fusilier bayonet. It would be what you think looks better with your tunic. I would probably go with one of the brass hilt bayonets because I think that they look better.

[paul w]

Thanks John,I think I'll look around for an 1871 walking out bayonet,all the best,

Paul

[paul w]

Hey John (or anybody),I found this 1871 bayonet,its obviously purely for walking out as theres no way of fixing it to the rifle.The question is,is it suitable and is it original?Cheers

Paul

[paul w]

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[paul w]

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[John Allen]

bayonet

Paul
It appears to be an original period walking out bayonet. It could be a rendition of either the 1860 Fusilier bayonet or 1871 bayonet or of one of the earlier sidearms.There were alot of manufacturers of those things and alot of variations. If you are looking for more a 1871 bayonet design, I would look for one that has a spring on the side of the hilt that has the grooves and a steel crossguard with a muzzle ring on it. I can say that the scabbard on the bayonet that you show has the scabbard leather turned around backwards because the seam is suppose to run down the back of the scabbard and not the front. This may have happened because it came apart sometime in the past and was put back together that way. Go with what you would do if you were a young German soldier trying to impress the ladies in your fancy uniform!

[paul w]

Cheers for that John and thanks for pointing out the scabbard I hadnt noticed that.I think I 'll keep looking for a better example,all the best,

Paul