Original German Mauser Model 1871 Rifle Bayonet dated 1876 with Scabbard – Regimentally Marked Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice 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/ 76, indicating acceptance in 1876 during the reign of German Emperor Wilhem I, who reigned 1871-1888. 

The steel blade is 18″ long and is in good condition, though it has been sharpened, and has some small nicks on the blade. The blade ricasso bears the maker marking: [F.] A. HERMES / SOLINGEN, for maker Friedrich August Hermes of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany.

The bayonet comes complete with its original brass mounted black leather  scabbard bearing bearing a regimental marking: 45. R. 3. 56. This would be for the 45th (8th East Prussian) Infantry Regiment, located in Insterburg, Darkehmen, 3rd company, 56th man.

There are additional proof marks on the hilt and drag of the scabbard. A very nice example of this relatively rare bayonet, read to display!

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.