98/05nA rework with L.A.H. SS stamps?

[driesvdb]

Hello fellow collectors, most of you probably don't know me but i collect german bayonets. Most of them WW1 because there's more variation and the prices are usually lower than WW2 examples and less fakes. Everything with a swastika on it is faked these days and you can't be too careful. I've just bought this bayonet below last week together with a bunch of other bayonets, the seller claimed to know little about them and just sold it as a 'WW1 bayonet'. Its a WW1 98/05n.A. model, reworked by blueing and adapting the frogstud for reichswehr issue. Bayonet is original and in beautiful condition but there are some interesting stamps which triggered my curiosity. On one side there's a L.A.H. monogram and small SS II stamp, the scabbard throat bears the same SS II stamp.





This example was produced by Rich.A.Herder and Durkopp Werke in 1917 and reissued to the reichswehr in 1920.
Could the SS stamps be real? And why would it say SS II, Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler was the first SS unit. I know early SS units were equipped with obsolete and outdated weapons such as Gew98's and ive seen wehrmacht and luftwaffe unit pictures with some WW1 weaponry such as these 98/05 models but I wonder if this particular example has real SS markings or not. I've seen rifles and pistol with an SS or S stamp and deathhead but didn't come across any LAH monograms on the interwebs. I own over 20 books on german bayonets, mostly WW1 stuff and none of them mentions SS marked examples. So I humbly ask your honest opinion and are eager to learn more about it. Thanks in advance.

[AndyB]

I would be sceptical about similar markings, it looks like newer when comparing the already cleaned finish of blade, its 2 x stamped, there was not reason mark similar items, by LAH i would see a nice new unmarked items instead of old S98/05, 1920 marked also used in Weimar period probably.b.r.Andy

[Frogprince]

Agreeing with the preceding comment - I would be very skeptical. Seeing multiple factors that I do not like (from my own perspective). FP

[driesvdb]

I am sceptical, but would have been far more sceptical if it would have been listed as 'SS bayonet' instead of WW1 bayonet. And the price wasn't so high either. But I remain sceptical about the tiny stamps.

[Frogprince]

I am sceptical, but would have been far more sceptical if it would have been listed as 'SS bayonet' instead of WW1 bayonet. And the price wasn't so high either. But I remain sceptical about the tiny stamps.

They are one of the things that concern me also. Which includes the script "LAH" that using the best magnification that I can do with my computer IMO showing the work of a Dremel © type rotary engraver - that is not the first and I'm certain not the last "SS" fake of this type that I will see. And that is without digging any deeper into the topic. FP

[driesvdb]

I just took a closer look with a magnifying glass at the LAH monogram, I can't really make out if it's engraved or stamped but whoever did it has needed at least 3 attempts to get it this way. You can still see the faded outlines of previous attemts which have been sanded out a few times, thats why the Rich.A.Herder logo has such shallow stamping.

[MikeS0000]

A bit late, but I have an Erfurt, 1915 98/05, marked to 3.G.D.1.271. the 3rd Garde Dragoons.

On the bottom backside of the crossguard it is "stamped" - "SS". I believe it has something to do with the steel rather than any unit or troop designation. Just MHO.

Best regards!
- Mike