In the last year or two I have obtained, from various sources,
three different versions of re-hilted Werder M1869 bayonets, as
shown in the enclosed pictures. The top one (No.1) is the now
well-documented conversion designated M1869/98 to fit the Gewehr 98
whilst the other two are yet unknown ones (at least unknown to me).

No.2 is also to fit the Gewehr 98 but by using a 1915 or 16 Ersatz
smooth parallel hilt with no oil hole, as often fitted to Ersoc
Ersatz bayonets. The designation in analogy to No.1 would be M1869/16
– see how well it fits my Belgian FN Model 1924 Mauser carbine!

This bayonet is now my second yatagan blade that fits on my Mauser
rifle (No.1 is the other) and I consider that very cool indeed.
A closer inspection of one of the pictures will show that the hilt
is welded to the blade, technology available at the time of WWI.

No.3 bayonet is a hybrid of Werder M1869 blade and scabbard with
a brass hilt for US Navy M1870 bayonet. Unlike the above two
conversions, this one is not likely to have been done by the Germans.
The hilt is simply peened onto the tang of the blade and I am
puzzled for what purpose this was done and by whom?
To make the Werder blade fit the American rifle?

Anyway, the three Werder blades and scabbards above bear the
usual marks, namely No.1 scabbard has regimental marks and the
other two blades have the 3-digit numbers normally found on M1969
Werders. No.3 blade shows the usual maker mark SOLINGEN W&ST
(Weyersberg & Stamm). I am particularly excited by No.2 conversion
and wonder if any of my fellow collectors have encountered this
conversion before so that we could justify the new designation M1869/16
(or M1869/15?). Any comments about No.3 will also be welcome.

Finally, apologies to the German members for writing this in English.
However, my German is good enough for understanding any of your
comments when made in German.

Hello Koppel1944, thank you for your quick response. You make perfectly valid points. Concerning my No.2 bayonet, the cross-guard does have a hole forward, above the weld, as shown in the close-up photo enclosed. I have tested the drainage with some oil and the oil came out of the small gap between the blade and the cross-guard well before reaching the hole (see another photo).

With regard to No.3, the hilt is simply peened (hammered out) onto the end of the tang as shown in a close-up of the pommel, and the fix is solid. I agree with you that the combination makes no sense and it may remain a mystery unless somebody comes up with a feasible explanation. Your word 'Bastellarbeit' made me reach for a dictionary but it escapes me what motif anybody would have for interfering with antique weapons like these.

Hello Koppel1944, well you got me puzzled this time my friend. Why were the ersatz all-steel hilts ever used at all and not the 98 hilts? I am sure you know the answer so your question must have been just a rhetorical one.
Anyway, other peoples like the Turks were doing similar conversions and they may not have been aware of the German 5.5mm draining hole size or welding standards. Ersatz hilts have been seen on other yatagan blades like the French Chassepot or the Austrian Werndl so why not the Werder?
All I am really asking here is whether anyone has seen a Werder blade with an all-steel ersatz hilt like my No.2 and we'll worry about where it came from later.
Greetings and best wishes.

Hello Koppel1944, I like the bi-lingual conversation we are having. You make some valid points about the local nature of the conversions to M69/98 but is that the whole story?
The Werder 69 started being converted to more modern firearms as soon as it went out of service after 1871. Some might have been sold out of Germany and never issued or re-issued to Bavarian troops. My blades and scabbards of No.2 and 3 bayonets bear no regimental marks to that effect. Do you know, for example, the story of the South American conversions and use of the Werder 69 parts? How did the bayonets or their parts get there from the Bavarian stores? I myself have what I think is Uruguay M1895 bayonet which has a Werder 69 hilt still bearing the 3-digit serial number 136. I might show it on this forum sometime.
I think the story of the Werder 69 bayonet is quite fascinating and unique among bayonets in that, because of its quality, it survived its short-lived firearm in the form of many different conversions.

ein Werder Gewehr M69 a.A. mit zugehörigem Bajonett.