Regimental markings

[Matt1]

I was wondering if anyone could identify these regimental markings? http://www.flickr.com/photos/7785500...in/photostream
The bayonet's an 1888 dated example produced by Soemmerda, It has been reworked from an older bayonet and the joining marks on the handle are still visible. If anyone has any additional information on the manufacturer and its rarity I'd be grateful to hear about it, thanks

[Matt1]

Just in case anyone can't access the link the marking reads 57.R.1.218

[jwh44]

Hello

57 Infanterie Regiment, 1st company, weapon number 218

Regards
Alain

[Matt1]

Thanks for your reply, is the 57 Infantry regiment the 8. Westfälisches?

[christhurston]

Hi Matt,

You don't show the ricasso of your bayo, but Soemmerda is the place where it was made, and such bayonets are thought to have been manufactured by the Waffenfabrik von Dreyse of Soemmerda, who had fallen on hard times by the 1880s.

Regards Chris.

[Len S]

I believe the italic R indicates it's the 57th Reserve Regiment.

[jwh44]

Hi Len

You are right for the 57th Reserve regiment. I didn't watch the marking on the photo.
Regards
Alain

[Matt1]

Thanks for your reply, I hadn't realised there was a difference with how the 'R' looked before. Could the makers mark on the blade be pre 1888 then? I know its an older bayonet thats been upgraded to a new pattern. Also does anyone know the rarity of it as I haven't personally come across many from this maker? Thanks again

[christhurston]

Matt,
Soemmerda is not a maker, it's a place !!!

[Matt1]

Yeah sorry, I didn't phrase that very well, meant how rare's the manufacturer that you mentioned? I hadn't come across many with similar markings before, and none of this variant. Unfortunately I don't have any decent pictures of the blade itself or I would upload them, thanks again

[Matt1]

I believe it to be a S84/98 variant by the way

[Len S]

I believe it's actually styled an 84/98 aA (alter Art?).

[Matt1]

What do you mean by 'alter Art'? Is that the same as a 71/84 version that has been upgraded? regards Matt

[Len S]

What do you mean by 'alter Art'? Is that the same as a 71/84 version that has been upgraded? regards Matt

In 1915 the Germans came up with a purpose made 84/98 (the forerunner of the WWII K98 bayo) and they were called the 84/98 nA , neu Art which means something like "new pattern". That made the earlier rebuilt models the alter Art or "old pattern".

[Matt1]

Thanks, what would be the difference between the 84/98aA and the S84/98? Would the S84/98 1st pattern be the same thing? Also do you know what sort of date they undertook the upgrade from the 71/84 to this variant?
Regards Matt