German M 1898/05 bayonet n.A. by CITO-COLN, saw back removed. (ABCN802)(K256)(JN86-2)
German Mauser M 1898 Rifle and Carbine. Superb bright finished fullered "bucher" blade. The saw back is removed. The extremely rare German makers name: CITO-CÖLN (= CITO in Cologne) on the ricasso. No cypher and no date which is usual for this maker. Excellent pommel, flash guard, crossguard and quillon. Two German inspection markings to the pommel. This is unusual for this maker! Excellent ribbed wooden grips with oil hole. T-O slot in pommel.
Excellent blued steel scabbard with no markings. Some surface rust only but no dents.
Super rare maker: CITO-CÖLN. Not much is known about this rare company. We only know that CITO was a registered trademark of Ernst Pack & Sohn of Solingen. CITO-COLN is uninentified. It is possible that it was a subplant of CITO in Cologne. They only made some M 98/05 bayonets in 1915 and 1916.
According to Anthony Carter in his book: GERMAN BAYONETS, VOLUME 1: "Only two bayonets marked: CITO-CÖLN are recorded"!
