Description
Original WWI German 1898/05 “Butcher” Bayonet – 1917 Pack-Ohliger Co. Manufacture
This is an authentic WWI German Model 1898/05 “Butcher” bayonet, manufactured in 1917 by Pack-Ohliger Co., one of the recognized Imperial German wartime contractors. Designed for the Gewehr 98 rifle, the 1898/05 bayonet earned its nickname from its broad, cleaver-like blade profile. Originally intended to give German infantrymen superior reach in trench combat, its size and cutting power made it one of the most iconic edged weapons of the Great War.
This example retains its original full-length blade, showing correct 1917 manufacturer and date markings on the ricasso. The hilt displays proper German wartime design features, including the steel crossguard, muzzle ring, and slab wood grips secured by steel rivets. Patina and finish wear are consistent with service use, offering the genuine character collectors prize.
The Pack-Ohliger Co. was among the firms tasked with ramping up bayonet production as the war intensified, and 1917 examples are particularly sought after as late-war production pieces. These bayonets were carried by German troops across the Western and Eastern Fronts, often paired with steel scabbards and leather frogs for field service.
Original 1898/05 bayonets from WWI, especially with clear maker marks and wartime dates, have become increasingly scarce due to collector demand and a century of attrition. This is a piece of tangible trench warfare history, ideal for display alongside a Gewehr 98 rifle or within a comprehensive WWI German militaria collection.
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