Found: Simson & Co. SUHL Bayonet

[porterkids]

To identify your bayonet, go here

You won't find it there, it's a Spanish bayonet.

[Flying10uk]

If it had been used by Germany during WW2 it probably would have had it's muzzle ring cut off, leaving just "ears". I looked at a Czech Mauser Mauser bayonet that had had this done recently and I would have purchased it if the vendor hadn't "tarted up" the metalwork with abrasive paper, removing all finish.

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 PM ----------

The use of "Co." is quite common in German, but is an abbreviation of "Companie" (old-fashioned French-style spelling) for a commercial operation, as opposed to "Kompanie" (modern German spelling) for a military company.

Are you confirming in this instance, Patrick, that the "Co." is an abbreviation of "Company" and not an abbreviation of a name?

[Patrick Chadwick]

"Are you confirming in this instance, Patrick, that the "Co." is an abbreviation of "Company" and not an abbreviation of a name? "

Yes. Simson & Co. was established in 1856, and lasted until the 1930s, when the Simsons (a Jewish family) were driven out by the Nazis. The factory was renamed "Gustlhoff-Werke".

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks for the answer regarding the Co v Ko mark Patrick. But here's another totally off at a tangent - but similar. What does the GMBH mark after a company name in Germany relate to. Is this simnilar to 'and Co' or 'Co Ltd' or similar..... Thanks

As a matter of interest, the music teacher at my senior school was German, named Luft-Simson and related to the Simson steel dynasty but changed their names to a more anglicised Loft-Simpson

[Patrick Chadwick]

GmbH = Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung = Company with limited liability = Limited Company

[porterkids]

If it had been used by Germany during WW2 it probably would have had it's muzzle ring cut off, leaving just "ears".

That wouldn't work with this bayonet. The Model 1893 and 1895 rifles had a completely different bayonet lug than the 98 Mausers.

[Flying10uk]

when the Simsons (a Jewish family) were driven out by the Nazis. The factory was renamed "Gustlhoff-Werke".

It does make you wonder how the second world war would have turned out if the Nazis hadn't treated the Jews the way that they did. The outcome may have been very different.