Geo is dead on in this description of the bayonet. The only thing that I would add is the other types of units that were issued this bayonet, as it clearly was only a select few.
Among these were the Kaiserliche Schutztruppe, which, according to what I have seen and the research I have done, were issued more KS98s than any other unit, including MG units. The Schutztruppe Kamerun and of German East Africa (regimental markings Sch.K. and Sch. D.O.A. were also issued this type of bayonet, but in lower numbers.
In addition to those Colonial German units, several other "prestige units" were issued the KS98 on an official basis. These included Flieger and Airship Recon units, Searchlight Detatchments of Engineer Batallions, and so on.
In Jeff Noll's "The Imperial German Regimental Marking," he lists a total of 24 regimentally marked examples of the KS98, of which 13 were issued to the Kaiserliche Schutztruppe. There are a few examples marked to the 2nd and 3rd Telegraph batallions, a Jager batallion, and even a train batallion. I have also seen KS98s marked S.B. for Seebataillons, P.T.K. for the Police Troop of Kamerun and even some basic Infantry Unit markings as well.
In terms of numbers, comparitively few KS98s were made. Having ceased production in 1915, and replaced by the S84/98 2nd Pattern, the KS98 missed the massive wartime production that makes the 98/05s and 84/98s so much more common. However, they left their mark on the German Army, and anyone who was anyone wanted a KS98. This is demonstrated by the fact that there is only one known period photo of an officer wearing a 98/05, despite the fact that they were ordered to wear them. The majority wore KS98s, and when an issue KS98 couldn't be found, the opted for the large number of private purchase bayonets that became available to them. This in turn had a profound effect on the 3rd Reich's extraseitengewehr (dress bayonets), all of which were based of the KS98. These dress bayonets are sometimes (and in my opinion, mistakenly) reffered to as the KS98 as well.
So, as you can see, it really isn't a pre-war bayonet, and it is a bayonet of great importance, both in influence, and in who it was issued to. It's sleek design in combination with its pragmatic size and blade made it a bayonet ahead of its time. Indeed, all one as to do is compare the bayonets of other countries of that time to see what I mean. At least the KS98 could be used as a fighting knife and a saw, while the French were running around with t backed and cruciform blades which are only good for one thing.
I hope someone reads this tripe!!
Thanks for letting me post it!
Nate
