Antique Store Bayonet

[Carl Christense]

I am an Imperial Medal collector and don't know very much about edged weapons. I was at a local antique store and noticed a bayonet. It looked to me like a classic "Butcher Blade" from WWI. It didn't have any marks or numbers except on the blade near the hilt. It was inscribed:

WEYERSBERG
KIRSCHBAUM
BcCLE
SOLINGEN

I think that Weyersberg/Kirschbaum is the name of the manufacturer. I think the blade was produced in Solingen. Are these facts correct?

What does BcCLE mean?

How can tell if it and the scabbard were made before, during, or after WWI?

Any info would help and be appreciated.

Carl C

[Richie B]

Carl

Weyersberg Kirschbaum is the manufacturer.

The "BcCLE" stamping on the blade should be Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie - short for company.

Having said that - there are Chinese fakes around which have strange wording on the blade stamps.

Photos would help clarify this.

If genuine then it was certainly produced before 1918.

Most military issue S98/05s have a date stamp on the blade back.

Private purchase models aka "dress bayonets" did not.

Hope this helps a little.

Regards

Richie