Butcher bayonet

[jscott]

Hello

I have just acquired a German 98/05 bayonet which is marked with a crown W16 on the spine of the blade, which on the basis of some very rudimentary research looks like it means the bayonet was produced in Prussia in 1916.

There are also some markings on the scabbard which read: E.B36.5.137.

I have had no luck trying to research what these markings mean - would anyone be able to suggest how I should follow this up?

Many thanks, Jonathan

[Mike_H]

Jonathan

E.B. was the marking for some railway troops, Eisenbahn-Betriebskompagnie. I am not sure what the Betriebskompagnie's function was, no doubt one of our fluent German speakers can come to the rescue. So the weapon was No.137 from section/platoon 5 of E.B. 36.

M

[Cnock]

Hi,

Among other duties the Eisenbahn Betriebskompagnie kept the railways functioning in occupied country.

Regards,

Cnock

[jscott]

Mike and Cnock - thank you very much - that is very helpful.

Is there an online site that contains this information, or is it from a book (or just general knowledge!)

Thanks again, Jonathan

[trajan]

Hi Jonathan,

Well your question was answered long ago, but yes, there is a book - Jeff Noll, 'German Regimental Markings', 2nd edition, privately published in a limited edition of about 1250 copies in 1995 OR 1998, and second hand copies currently selling for USD 750 plus...!!! So, if you are tempted by the two parts of the book we have discussed before, and want to learn mora AND make an investment(!), then it might be advisable to get that now, as it is also a limited edtion!

Julian

[trajan]

According to this web-site - http://www.agw14-18.de/formgesch/formatio_allgemein.html, the EB 36 was mobilised in 1915. There are (unsurprisingly?!) quite a lot of postcards sent home from these guys, but none - alas - that I could find for EB 36.

Trajan

EDIT: should have added - yes generally worked in the occupied territories, but also working on the railways 'at home' before wwI - and in existence in Weimar and WWII, but with different numbering system to bayonets, etc.