atb Posted March 26 Share #1 Posted March 26 I recently acquired a German 98 first type bayonet and scabbard. Both are unit marked, but unfortunately to different units. Is there a source for deciphering these markings? Bayonet- 178 . R . 7 . 186 Scabbard- B . 15 . R . 12 132 The scabbard appears to have shrunk in length so that the bayonet extends about 1 1/4" from the throat. Is this shrinkage common? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T BIRD Posted March 27 Share #2 Posted March 27 178th INFANTRY REG. 7th CO. 186th WEAPON ISSUED TO CO. (13th ROYAL SAXON REG.) BAVARIAN 15th I.R. 12th CO 132nd WEAPON ISSUED TO CO. (KING FREDERICK AUGUST OF SAXONY REG) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted March 28 Share #3 Posted March 28 Yes, shrinkage, and breakage, were common. More likely just a mis-match in size as well as units. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edelweisse Posted March 29 Share #4 Posted March 29 The scabbard is leather and through time shrinks. I have one leather German butcher type that the scabbard has also shrunk. WWI was going on so soldiers in the field weren’t too concerned with making sure they got their specific field gear item back with numbers matching…as long as it was a like item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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