Original German Manufactured Brass Grip Argentine Mauser Model 1891 Bayonet with Crest Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This really is a truly excellent example of this scarce Argentine Contract Mauser M-1891 Bayonet constructed with Brass grip panels. Twenty five years ago these were pretty common with White Alloy grip plates, however those with BRASS grips like this one were always scarce.

What is special about this example is that the ARGENTINE CREST is still visible on the rear of the blade. These were ordered removed or defaced by Argentine Government order before Export so consequently those with crests are particularly RARE. The marking looks to have been struck faintly, so it may have been overlooked. The MODELO ARGENTINO 1891 marking is still intact and crisp.

The other side of the ricasso bears the German Bayonet maker’s name:

WEYERSBERG
KIRSCHBAUM & CO
SOLINGEN

Bayonet and scabbard are marked with matching serial number C2415 with RA stamped on both, for República Argentina. For more information please WATTS & WHITE, THE BAYONET BOOK Page 2 Item 1.

Offered in close to unissued condition, this is one of the best examples we have seen. It just has a bit of light staining around the grip area, and the blade was never sharpened. With a visible crest, this really is a step above. Ready to display!

History of the M1891 Argentine Mauser Bayonet:
Argentina opted for the 15.75 inch blade, after seeing that Chile was going to adopt a shorter (10-inch blade) bayonet for their Mausers. However, the prototype bayonets turned out heavier than the Argentines liked, so they made a number of design changes (thinner blade, slimmer hilt, and others). The aluminum grip scales were part of an effort to lighten the bayonet. The grip metal is an alloy of aluminum, with 6 percent copper.

They went ahead with the brass grip scales, initially, so as not to further delay production. Brass-gripped bayonets were made 1892–93. Production switched to aluminum grip, mid-1893, after producing 40,000 brass grip bayonets. 190,000 aluminum grip bayonets were made, 1893–1898.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 15 3/4″
Blade Style: Single Edged Sword with Fuller
Overall length: 20 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 16 3/8″