Original German Mauser M1871 Rifle Bayonet by Gebrüder Simson dated 1877 with Scabbard & Frog – Regt. Marked Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of the Mauser Model 1871 rifle bayonet with brass hilt, compete with the original brass-fitted leather scabbard. The bayonet is in good condition, and is marked on the rear of the blade with (Crown) / W/ 777, indicating acceptance in 1877 during the reign of German Emperor Wilhem II, who reigned 1888-1918. 

The steel blade is 18″ long and is in very good condition, with only light wear and a bit of staining. It has been sharpened, so this is a bayonet that did see service, though they were more often used as tools than weapons by the late 19th century.

The blade ricasso is maker marked GEBR. SIMS[ON] / SUHL, indicating manufacture by Gebrüder Simson (Simson Brothers) in Suhl, Thuringia, Germany. This company, later known as Simson & Cie, was a major manufacturer in the Suhl Area, and later began production of bicycles and other items in addition to edged weapons. At the onset of WWI, the company had 3500 employees, however in the post war depression, they had to fire 2/3 of their workforce. The company continued trading and was again successful, however since the Simson family were Jewish, they found the company headquarters occupied by the SA in 1933. The company was then forcibly renamed BSW, and pressed into service making small arms. Thankfully, the Simson family was able to emigrate to the U.S.A. in 1936. For more information please see J Anthony Carter’s excellent 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 3. T. P. 4. 5., which we unfortunately have not been able to identify.

The bayonet comes complete with its original brass mounted black leather scabbard bearing bearing the same regimental marking. There are additional proof marks on the hilt and drag of the scabbard. The scabbard is in very good condition, however the throat springs are strong, and it requires some effort to remove and replace the scabbard. The scabbard is held in a very nice leather frog, which has a faded maker mark on the back.

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

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

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.