Original German Mauser Model 1871 Rifle Bayonet by W.R. Kirschbaum with Scabbard – Regiment Marked Original Items

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.

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

The blade ricasso is maker marked W.R. KIRSCHBAUM / SOLINGEN. This is actually a somewhat rare maker in itself, as the company only existed from 1870 to 1883, when Wilhelm Reinhard Kirschbaum died. His heirs elected to Amalgamate with Gebrüder Weyersberg, forming the Legendary Weyersberg Kirschbaum &Co. For more information on this maker 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 133.R 12 95. This indicates issue to the 133rd Royal Saxon Reserve Regiment of the XII Royal Saxon Reserve Corps which fell under the 24th Reserve Division. The XII (Royal Saxon) Reserve Corps (German: XII. (Königlich Sächsisches) Reserve-Korps / XII RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I. XII Reserve Corps was formed on the outbreak of the war in August 1914 as part of the mobilization of the Army. It was initially commanded by General der Artillerie Hans von Kirchbach, recalled from retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war in Armee-Abteilung C, Heeresgruppe Gallwitz on the Western Front. The Royal Saxon 24th Reserve Division (Kgl. Sächsische 24. Reserve-Division) was a unit of the Imperial German Army in World War I. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 as part of the XII (Royal Saxon) Reserve Corps. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I. The division was raised in the Kingdom of Saxony.

The bayonet comes complete with its original brass mounted black leather scabbard bearing bearing a different regimental marking: 177. R.2.97. These markings indicate the 177th (12th Royal Saxon) Infantry who also fell under the XII Army Corps. There are additional proof marks on the hilt and drag of the scabbard. The scabbard is in good condition, however there is some deformation and stitching degradation and the throat springs are VERY strong, and it requires quite a bit of effort to remove and replace the scabbard.

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.