WW1 IMPERIAL GERMAN ERZATZ ERSOC BAYONET
Very Rare First World War Imperial German Army (Bavarian State) Ersatz Socket Blade Bayonet P1853 Blade.
It is well recognized by collectors that German Ersatz bayonets are amongst the rarest of WW1 German bayonets. Of these rarities, the socket blade, and especially the cruciform blade, tops the list. These types of bayonets are also referred to as Ersoc (ersatz socket) or Ersatz. The term Ersatz means substitute or replacement. There is a popular theory that these types of bayonets were the result or war material shortages near the end of the WW1. However, the fact that most of these bayonets were made in 1915-16 supports the idea of a rapid arming of a quickly growing German army.
This particular bayonet is made from the blade of a tri-form socket bayonet and a pressed steel handle. The mortise has a mortice slot which allows it to fit the 1888 & 1898 Commission Gewehr rifles. The coiled spring press stud functions well.
This bayonet has the correct matching scabbard. An Ersoc with a scabbard is even more rare than the bayonet itself as they were made of sheet metal and, therefore, very fragile. The scabbard frog stud is missing from the scabbard.
This bayonet would make an excellent addition to any collectors gallery.