This WW1 Imperial German Sawback Bayonet with Frog is an original edged weapon issued to German forces during the First World War. The bayonet features a distinctive sawback blade, designed for utility tasks such as cutting wood, in addition to serving as a combat weapon. The steel blade typically measures approximately 14–18 inches in length and is fitted with a saw-toothed spine. The handle is constructed with contoured wooden grips secured by steel rivets, and the crossguard includes a muzzle ring for attaching to a compatible rifle, usually the Mauser Gewehr 98. Accompanying the bayonet is a period leather frog, used to secure the bayonet to a soldier’s belt for ready access. Sawback bayonets were controversial during their service due to the nature of wounds produced, leading to their restricted use later in the war. This example represents a standard model of its type, reflecting typical Imperial German manufacture and military specifications from the WW1 era.
