Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of the Mauser Model 1871 rifle bayonet with brass hilt, complete with the original brass-fitted leather scabbard. The bayonet is in good condition, and is not marked on the rear of the blade with an 1874 year as well as the usual acceptance marks.

The steel blade is 18 ½” long and is in good condition, and has not had the main edge sharpened at any time, so it still has the factory blunt edge. It has staining and pitting, but overall looks great.

The blade ricasso is maker marked GEBR: / WEYERSBERG / [SOLINGEN], indicating manufacture by Gebrüder Weyersberg. Gebrüder Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik, was founded in 1787 by the brothers Johan William and Peter to manufacture sword and knife blades. By 1850 they were located on Kölnerstrasse in the Ohligs area of the City of Solingen. From 1859 onward they operated a factory on Hochstrasse in the same area. Called "The City of Blades", Solingen is a world-renowned edged weapon area, with a history dating back to the middle ages. The Weyersberg family itself had a history of swordmaking going back at least 6 generations. The company had numerous contacts and customers in Europe, and supplied weapons to Napoleon's army, as well as to the Prussian and Russian armies during the 19th century.

The sudden death of Hermann Weyersberg in 1883 caused a management issue, and the manufacturing portion of the company was amalgamated with W.R. Kirschbaum to form the well-known firm of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. As part of this agreement the sales and trading portion of Weyersberg continued under numerous brand names. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The handle of the blade is in good condition, and has a fully functional bayonet latch. There are also some proof marks, as is typical on Imperial German bayonets. The steel "S" shaped crossguard does have a bit of oxidation in areas, and bears regimental marking 53.R.R.2.90, which we believe is for the 53rd Infantry Regiment.

The bayonet comes complete with its original brass mounted black leather scabbard. There are no proof marks on the hilt and drag of the scabbard. The scabbard is in fair condition, however there is some deformation and bending on the lower drag and throat.

A very nice example of this relatively rare bayonet, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 18 ½”
Blade Style: Single Edge with Fuller
Overall length: 23 1/2“
Crossguard: 4 5/8”
Scabbard Length: 19"

The Mauser Model 1871 adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71" ("I.G.Mod.71" was stamped on the rifles themselves) was the first rifle model in a distinguished line designed and manufactured by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Mauser of the Mauser company and later mass-produced at Spandau arsenal.

Paul Mauser developed his bolt-action rifle from 1867 to 1871. During 1870–71 trials with many different rifles took place, with the "M1869 Bavarian Werder" being the Mausers' chief competitor. The Mauser was provisionally adopted on 2 December 1871, pending the development of an appropriate safety. With support from the government's Spandau arsenal, the improvements to the safety mechanism were completed and the rifle was formally accepted on 14 February 1872 as Infantry Rifle Model 1871 by the German Empire excluding Bavaria. General issue to troops began in late 1873 and all units had been converted by the spring of 1875. The Mauser 1871 was replaced by the magazine-fed, smokeless powder using Gewehr 1888 from 1888 through 1890.