Bayonet unit markings

[elm_creek_smith]

I have a WW1 Mauser bayonet manufactured in Erfurt in 1914. I inherited it with a Mauser Kar.98a that my grandfather brought back from France after he was gassed at St. Mihel. (The carbine was manufactured in Danzig in 1911.) I just now noticed what I believe to be a unit marking on the guard. Anyone have any ideas?

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[merl67]

I had a 1871 Mauser bayonet unit marked as was the scabbard I believed this was done up until WW1 but I haven't seen any done that were WW2 vintage, not saying there aren't any, but i haven't seen them.

 

[Absalom]

Totally wild guess, but I would assume:

2. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 14.

The 14th Imperial (3rd Pommeranian) Infantry Regiment seems the best-matching candidate.

IR 14 – GenWiki

As Merl67 says, unit markings generally were still common in WW I, but gone on all sides by WW II. People had realized they could provide inadvertent intelligence to the enemy if captured.

 

[Gene L]

You can go to Gunboards and post your pics under German Militaria. (SP). Those guys are experts.

 

[Absalom]

After a bit more poking, I‘m amending my previous opinion. I tracked down another bayonet with the same pattern and apparently authoritative identification, allowing extrapolation. (See attached)

The bayonet was issued to the Kürassier-Regiment “Königin“ No. 2, a Pommeranian cavalry unit of the Prussian/Imperial Army, which in 1918 was deprived of its horses and fought as infantry in the area of the Western front where the AEF was deployed, so it meshes with the OP‘s back story. The pairing with the 98a carbine variant of the Mauser also supports the cavalry connection. The 14 is an inventory number.

 

[walnutred]

Are there any unit markings on the 98a? They can sometimes be found on the tang of the buttplate.