The Germans regarded them as unlawful combatants and demanded their disbandment. When the Germans invaded in 1914, the Belgians “mobilized” the Garde Civique designating them noncombatant support troops. The Garde Civique was a paramilitary force under the civil government (unlike the Gendarmerie, which was under military control). German markings observed on this example are “Deutsch” stamped on the upper tang and a proofmark on the pommel end.
#Gewehr 88 markings meanings serial number#
The serial number with an X on the crosspiece indicates that the bayonet was formerly used by one of the Garde Civique units from the region around the city of Ghent. The original Belgian markings are still present. Gewehr 98.Ĭarter classified this Ersatz type as EB 90 in his writings.Īlterations were extensive, including: removal of the muzzle ring, lengthening the mortise by 10 mm., grinding-flush the forward grip rivet, drilling the hilt to create a T-O slot for the Gewehr 98 cleaning rod, and relocating the press stud to the right side of the pommel. German Ersatz conversion of the T-back Belgian M1882 Garde Civique sword bayonet for use with the 8 mm. Mauser Gewehr 98.Īltered Belgian M1882 Garde Civique (EB 90) Original muzzle ears enabling use with the Gewehr 88 Commission Rifle were removed, allowing use only with the 8 mm. (13.8 mm.).ĭistinguishing characteristics include: stamped smooth steel grips with an irregularly shaped depressed groove in each side the grips are affixed over the tang by three dome-headed rivets rounded pommel beak unfullered, German-made blade, shortened and stamped crosspiece with a rearward swept quillon. The muzzle-ring diameter listed is for the upper step. The two-step muzzle ring allows fitment on both the 8 mm. Mauser Gewehr 98.ĭistinguishing characteristics include: one-piece pressed hilt folded downward over the tang and pommel block rounded pommel beak unfullered, German-made blade, shortened and, one piece stamped crosspiece with two-stage muzzle ears cocked rearward.Īlthough the trademark is no longer visible, the scabbard is a shortened pressed steel ersatz type made by the firm of Friedrich August Göbel, in Solingen. The scabbard is of the fourth type documented by Carter and still has some traces of the original feldgrau (field gray) paint.īrass was in short supply and was too soft to hold up in field use, so very few of these bayonets were made and survived the War.ĭistinguishing characteristics include: a pressed steel hilt with crosswise clean-out hole large pommel beak unfullered, German-made blade, shortened and two-piece brazed crosspiece. Credit for this discovery goes to Dennis 'Otto' Ottobre, whose research on Turkish bayonets has made him a leading authority on Ersatz bayonets. This bayonet is such an example, as these images of it mounted to a Gewehr 88 attest. Some of what appear to be single-stage muzzle ears are actually a simplified oval that allows mounting to both the Gewehr 88 and Gewehr 98. It has long been believed that single-stage muzzle ears allow mounting only to the 8 mm. Mauser Gewehr 98.ĭistinguishing characteristics include: a cast brass grip thin false crosspiece beginning in the center of the hilt sharp pommel beak raised reverse lug catch aperture, and single-stage muzzle ears. Scabbard has a typical Turkish oval frog stud.Ībsence of muzzle ears limits this example to use only with the 8 mm. Distinguishing characteristics include: a pressed steel grip Flattened pommel butt with blunt nose and contoured finger edge stepped one-piece crossguard with two-stage muzzle ears fullered, German-made blade, shortened and, original crossguard with muzzle ears removed.